kfajdsl/voxpopuli huggingface dataset:
unless we get that money and unless universities are properly and adequately funded we will not have balanced courses we will not have balanced discipline and we will not be able to give our students the chances that they need.
madam president academics are by nature an argumentative group so as a former university lecturer and course director it has been with great interest that i followed a very public debate in ireland between academics over the future direction of irish universities.
where these academics converge is in the agreement that universities remain one of europe's great innovations and that their continued success is essential to the future social political and economic success of the european union.
and so this crossroads we have come to in third level education with traditional student based learning in one direction and the demands of modern business driven economies in the other must be navigated with the greatest of care. profit growth and modern development are integral elements of today's universities but with many faculties unrelated to business and profit driven professions and i am thinking of arts and the humanities in particular it is important that in order to retain a balance between both economic and intellectual success modern universities retain some essential academic links with their more financially naive past.
it is easy to understand why the commission does not want to come up with a scheme that will be unworkable in any case. ukip meps will vote against.
the uk of course has a long history of accepting refugees and asylum seekers in very significant numbers over centuries.
member states could continue to determine their own responses to particular circumstances in relation to their own ability to respond which is exactly what they should do. asylum and immigration policy should remain under national control.
mr president as this question makes clear the report calls for the commission to publish its proposals on a voluntary permanent union relocation scheme as promised since december.
under the new asylum and migration fund the commission has proposed that there will be a eur six zero lump sum available for relocation activities per relocated person.
but with the eurema project we have had some interesting experiences and that has been evaluated.
and the relocation forum member states can choose to use that money.
i am personally very committed to relocation as a tool and as a policy and i am happy that we have been able to assist malta a little bit with the pressure they have been facing. the question put by the libe committee notes correctly that the commission was planning to propose a voluntary permanent relocation scheme. indeed this was my intention. however we have to take the political reality into account. since the last relocation pledging conference in may two years ago only seven member states have chosen to participate in the eurema ii project and so far they have relocated only fourteen people between them.
in fact we did have a lunch discussion with the ministers of the interior on this and a huge majority of the member states almost all of them were strongly opposed to a legislative instrument.
we want to encourage relocation activities as a continuous response to genuine needs for assistance and this could happen to any country not only malta.
these reports will show us where relocation can be a useful way of reducing the pressure.
this is why i am pleased to announce today a plan for an annual relocation forum.
based on that experience a legislative instrument on voluntary relocation would face difficulties in the council.
by contrast at the same time two hundred and fifty four persons have been relocated bilaterally by member states in associated countries that are not participating in eurema ii. against this background we must look at all the available options to make progress in this matter.
this funding would be allocated to member states on a regular basis and for the first time when approving their multiannual programme.
this approach could hopefully encourage more member states to offer places for relocation.
the relocation forum would then meet and discuss the reports and member states can indicate whether they consider that they are in need themselves of assistance through relocation or whether they would be interested in pledging places for relocation.
some details will still need to be reflected upon once there is a final outcome on the budget.
a further source of expansion for the african union could come from the re recognition of somaliland a promise that was made to me in person by a south sudanese leader prior to independence.
dare i say at a time when the european union is shrinking thanks to brexit it is encouraging to see that the african union is actually expanding.
two thousand and thirteen i naturally welcome the recent joint calls from igad the un and the african union for a cessation of hostilities and it is an encouraging sign today that rebel leader riek machar has indeed backed this call but the fighting sadly goes on.
it is crucial that the atrocities stop a peace process is set up and this cycle of violence revenge violence revenge must end.
there are known cases where despite sanctions systems from the eu have still been exported including to south sudan.
the gravity of these crimes and the extraordinary violence while there is impunity for the perpetrators has to end.
so it is very urgent that we act now as the european union as well as in context of cooperation with the african union and the united nations.
besides these atrocities we see a crackdown on civil society and the media preventing accountability and documentation.
we have to be aware that already hundreds of thousands have been killed since two thousand and thirteen and over three million people have been displaced and they in turn face starvation.
meanwhile the un human rights committee has warned that south sudan is on the brink of genocide starvation gang rape and fighting between militias escalating to levels that seem to amount to ethnic cleansing.
i welcome the fact that there is an arms embargo in place but we must be vigilant also on the export of systems that allow for the tracking and tracing of people surveillance hacking and exfiltrating information.
let us seize the opportunity today to send a number of clear messages to all parties in south sudan.
the european union is particularly shocked at the gross violation of international human rights and international humanitarian law that have been perpetrated by all parties with complete impunity.
all parties must be brought into an inclusive political process based on the two thousand and fifteen peace agreement which remains a blueprint if properly implemented for establishing a functional institutional framework for the state of south sudan.
let me take this opportunity to commend uganda in particular for its compassion and efficiency in sheltering over six hundred and fifty zero refugees.
any step to foster dialogue and reconciliation between many groups in south sudan is welcome.
the european union is an active member of the peace monitoring institutions established by the agreement and is providing financial assistance for implementation of parts of the agreement.
we fear that this year's needs maybe even greater.
although south sudan much to our regret has not yet acceded to the cotonou agreement and is therefore not eligible for the full range of development support the european union remains committed to help.
a political dialogue and consultation should be representative of and trusted by the entire population of south sudan.
the regional protection force that was mandated by the un security council last year to reinforce the united nations mission in south sudan must be deployed swiftly.
the european union will continue in close coordination with the united nations the african union the united states and the countries of the region to do everything it can to support the south sudanese leadership to take decisive steps to embrace peace and to build a state that serves the interests of its citizens.
there can be no military solution to the divisions of south sudan.
mr president honourable members when south sudan became independent in two thousand and eleven there were high hopes for the future of the world's newest state.
the united nations mission in south sudan must be allowed to exercise its mandate in full and without hindrance.
the european union is also providing financial assistance to neighbouring countries to assist them to deal with the enormous influx of refugees.
we urge the transitional government to move forward rapidly with accession.
in two thousand and sixteen the european union provided eur one hundred and forty three million for humanitarian assistance to south sudan as well as for supporting the provision of basic services.
such a process should be initiated without delay and without obstacles.
the european union has imposed an arms embargo against south sudan and is lobbying so far without success for the united nations security council to follow suit.
to play a central role in the national dialogue.
we welcome the national dialogue announced by president salva kiir in december last year.
the european union works as closely as possible with the countries of the region and with the intergovernmental authority on development and the african union collectively to encourage implementation of the peace agreement.
on one december last year the united nations commission on human rights in south sudan noted that a steady process of ethnic cleansing was underway in the country using starvation gang rape and the burning of villages.
an individual who orders or commits criminal acts of violence must be brought to justice.
the south sudanese authorities must allow unrestricted humanitarian access to those in need.
the eu should contribute to the south sudan peace process especially in the area of justice where our assistance can be instrumental.
we have an arms embargo but what are we doing to enforce it internationally?
by mid two thousand and seventeen five million in the country will be in need of food aid.
this cannot remain without consequences commissioner.
this conflict is the result of the failure by us and others to invest in inclusiveness at the point of independence leaving ethnic divisions vulnerable to those vying for power internally.
companies in ukraine have been fuelling violence through the sale of more helicopters;
what steps have been taken to push for full implementation of the two thousand and fifteen peace agreement?
we have to ensure long term international commitment to food security and work with the region to re open trade routes.
the european union will continue to deploy all the instruments available political pressure sanctions humanitarian relief development assistance support for international justice with a view to encouraging the parties to replace conflict with dialogue
in a democratic way and with elections.
has been one of great progress.
kosovo has come a long way considering the aftermath of war killings refugees people living abroad and returning when independence came about and the need for state building.
the future of kosovo is in the european union.
nevertheless the violence that took place in the north is very much regretted and condemned by this parliament in my report.
these are things which help the lives of people in the country.
will not hamper the progress of the process that started so well last year.
certainly one country which deserves continued congratulations is macedonia although as ever the progress report reflects the deep frustrations about the entirely unnecessary paralysis forced upon this country's european ambitions.
the so called name issue is unsustainable and unfair and i appeal to all sides to renew the momentum for ending the saga once and for all.
just fifteen years ago the region was being torn apart by brutal civil wars which saw thousands of people killed or displaced but now croatia and slovenia are in the european union and we are talking about the accession of serbia and montenegro to the eu as a serious and realistic prospect thus testifying to the superlative efforts of both the governments and populations of those countries as well as to european and regional partners in their efforts to promote economic development and integration.
in all the western balkan countries we call for similar things such as stronger targeting of corruption and fighting organised crime deeper engagement with civil society and broader rights for minorities and women and the lgbt communities.
macedonia has come so far and does not deserve to be left behind.
kosovo does give grounds for some optimism with real progress made in the social and political arenas but as november's electoral violence in mitrovica demonstrated baroness ashton's belgrade pritina agreement though it is rightly to be congratulated must embody the start of a process and not the end of one.
despite the immensely positive outlook in serbia and montenegro in particular it is important for us not to get carried away by being over optimistic. an examination of the progress reports reveals a mixed bag.
once the negotiations on the stabilisation and association agreement are completed we need a positive response from this house and our member states.
i will start with serbia. your support represents strong evidence of the european union's commitment to serbia's european future and in the negotiations i will continue paying particular attention to serbia delivering on the continuing normalisation of its relations with kosovo; to the rule of law particularly reform of the judiciary and the fight against corruption and organised crime; to effective implementation
to serbia's contribution to regional cooperation and improved relations with its neighbours;
time of joining the union.
for a thriving civil society and strong fundamental freedoms and rights.
we are trying to create the conditions for our candidate countries and aspirant countries to cooperate regionally;
and last but not least to the implementation of serbia's commitments under the stabilisation and association agreement. thank you also for your continuing support for our work on kosovo.
of the legislation on the protection of minorities and on anti discrimination;
to continue to work on the priorities indicated in our feasibility study of two thousand and twelve notably on electoral reform the rule of law the judiciary public administration human and fundamental rights and the protection of minorities;
now i would like to turn to the greek presidency.
i would like to urge the greek presidency the greek government to do its utmost to move forward as far as the main issue with skopje is concerned.
do you deny the right of your own people to self determination which is now supported by all respectable hungarians?
in december the council acknowledged our intention to conclude the negotiations in the course of.
the european union has shown that it can inspire others to follow its own model of reconciliation among its peoples.
on serbia let me thank the rapporteur mr jelko kacin for his report which is well in line with the findings of our sixteen october progress report.
they started their integration process with us both serbia and kosovo have advanced significantly in their internal reform process.
on their respective paths to the european union.
the first agreement of principles governing normalisation' has improved relations between serbia and kosovo and has already led to a number of important positive developments on the ground particularly in the north of kosovo.
as confirmed in our progress report of sixteen october kosovo needs to continue its reforms so that it can meet its obligations under the stabilisation and association agreement. the negotiations on the stabilisation and association agreement
i welcome the draft resolution on the european integration process and i would like to thank the rapporteur ms ulrike lunacek for her report.
two thousand and fourteen we are committed to continue to work very closely with kosovo the member states and parliament to ensure that the negotiations will be as efficient and productive as possible.
are going very well.
the efficient work on the ground has meant that many old structures have been dismantled and integration into kosovo structures is well
agenda. in a number of areas serbia has continued to prepare for the next important phase of its relations with
particular attention also needs to be paid to the rights and inclusion of vulnerable groups particularly the roma as well as to the effective implementation of legislation on the protection of minorities the non discriminatory treatment of national minorities throughout serbia and tackling discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender
i have little doubt that further issues will arise which will need to be addressed and that difficult questions will need to be solved. it is crucial to the smooth conduct of the process ahead that implementation continues and that both parties remain fully engaged in the process of normalising their relations. both should be able to continue on their respective european
economy. significant reform and investment is now needed to enable it to cope in the long term with competitive pressure and market
process. kosovo now needs to focus on implementing the reforms in order to meet the obligations under the proposed
saa. as part of the preparations for the general elections this year the council has invited kosovo to reform its legal framework on elections building on european international
issues. increased efforts are also needed in the area of economic
forces. it is clear that the results achieved in the dialogue process must be pursued and implemented by both parties with commitment and determination.
further work is also needed on media freedom and the quality of the business environment.
underway. both parties have also delivered on the domestic eu
the serbian government has shown a proactive attitude in the fight against systemic corruption in the country.
the reform of the judiciary which will be the topic of chapter twenty three remains the core issue. in order to ensure smooth negotiations on this chapter serbia will need to establish a track record on high profile corruption cases.
this will be at times a long difficult and challenging process.
the political background to the assassination of prime minster zoran djindji must be resolved once and for all as serbia cannot afford to have this shadow hanging over the credibility and stability of its institutions.
i want to reiterate that this is not about serbias formal membership of the eu.
after decades of isolation serbia has abandoned the self defeating approach to challenges it has faced in the past. serbias success in the accession process will encourage its neighbouring countries to step up their reform efforts in their turn. serbia is taking up a transformative role turning from a regional maverick into
there is much more to be done but the first step was crucial and by far the most difficult.
my report cautiously welcomes these first steps in the effort to establish a genuine rule of law in the country.
i would like to take this opportunity to thank high representative catherine ashton for all the work she has done to make sure serbia and kosovo come to an agreement.
i urge the serbian political elite to forge a strong consensus on the strategic issues related to the accession process and to reach out to civil society whose contributions to the reform process and to its transparency are essential.
it is all about the journey towards brussels and the effective implementation of eu related reforms.
special thanks to commissioner fle as well who kept up the pace of the integration process against all odds.
i would just like to point out the fact that the absence of a solution to the main issue of what we call fyrom when one of the member states is present and the non recognition of kosovo by five member states are expressions it seems to me not so much of a lack of political will
the historic significance of the belgrade pristina dialogue is hard to overestimate;
coming to terms with the loss of territory is very hard to bear for any country.
there are several other problems on the agenda.
clearly this will have to change sooner or later.
there is the deep level problem of corruption.
with the best will in world it would be difficult to assert that the serbian legal system is in this category.
these issues are interconnected.
the very praiseworthy efforts by the government to root out corruption have involved centralisation and political action which is excellent.
but in the longer term a balance will have to be struck between the anti corruption drive the relative weakness of the legal administration and over centralisation.
finally the most serious issue facing the serbian authorities is that of the economy which is in a very poor state. the many years of misgovernment in the past have generated grave distortions to market activity.
serbia can take the opportunity to reform its judiciary improving the life and rights of all involved the judges the prosecutors the victims and the perpetrators.
serbia can take the opportunity to improve its human rights including everybody in society lgbti people women minorities and roma people thereby improving their economic growth their employment prospects and their fight against poverty.
it can even be good to keep visa free travel because eventually the only way to prevent ethnic minorities from asking for asylum is to give them a proper and good future within the country itself.
serbia might take the opportunity to improve social dialogue fighting corruption fighting cartels and ensuring business independence so that it will be fun to create and operate a business within the country. i do realise however that it is not only fun to reform.
there will be resistance.
so i count on your support in this regard.
we do not have the luxury of time.
we cannot compete with their goods without reducing our wage rates to their levels.
the value of a currency must reflect the state of health of the economy it serves.
however there are other distinct problems. the embrace of globalisation by the eu and its individual member states is a recipe for disaster. we cannot allow goods and workers from low wage countries to flood into europe.
the goal of a single currency eventually for twenty seven plus countries is based on the false assumption that one currency can be appropriate for many very different economies.
a whole and that of the other member states.
to it. but recent experience has shown that it is better to have a fire brigade ready for a possible bush fire than only start building the fire brigade up when the fire has already turned into a broader forest
in the eu in particular in the euro area we know only too well that national decisions have an impact beyond national borders and therefore there will have to be coordination at european level before those national decisions.
this is our responsibility in relation to our citizens and we are delivering in very concrete terms.
our proposals are made of three building blocks.
first we must reinforce both the preventive and corrective arms of the stability and growth
we are not doing it for the sake of the mystical market forces but for the sake of sustainable growth and job creation in europe by ensuring that the threats to financial stability will not kill the economic recovery that is now in progress though this is still rather modest and fragile.
merits. just to give you one figure while the average debt in europe is at the moment around seventy five in estonia it
preach. we need to introduce a truly european dimension to economic policy making in europe it is not enough to look only afterwards at international decisions.
it was a response that i would call a consolidation pact.
beyond that our member states have understood the paramount importance of fiscal consolidation to ensure the sustainability of public finances and thus preconditions for sustainable economic growth.
country; of course
i strongly agree with those of you who have called for an economic union to complement the monetary one.