kfajdsl/voxpopuli huggingface dataset:
when we did the taskforce one of the key objectives was to try to bring together all of the different potential investors in egypt private sector and public sector in a more sensible format to make it clear to the egyptian authorities that there was a genuine commitment to try to help and support them.
he did the same.
i go i have been to egypt i think twelve times since i took office but many colleagues go every week.
i asked them again on monday and they say it is progressing.
they are mainly loans not gifts and they are done on the basis of the work that is done by the egyptian authorities to make an agreement with the imf.
what has been so valuable in this is the recognition that for every member who has spoken what happens in egypt is understood to be of real importance to the european union.
honourable members please do everything you can with all the contacts you have to support the people of egypt in the way that you do.
that is what it is all about. so the money is waiting and will be made available but it does depend on agreements with the imf and just as importantly the movement on the political dialogue which so many of you have spoken about.
that is why with un women we did the programme of support for id cards which enable women to open bank accounts to be distinct and separate to get healthcare themselves to be reliant on no one but themselves and to be able to function effectively in their communities. it is a real problem in the urban communities and also
we want them to succeed.
sometimes i do not do it in a very public way.
we were pleased when they asked us to send expertise and advice on this ngo law for all the reasons that have been indicated here.
but they also had to do things to ensure that support was forthcoming both economically and politically.
we would always do that.
please continue to say the good things that we want to see happen in egypt.
but when it comes to issues like the death penalty i have all my life stood up for the same principle that this european union believes in namely that it is fundamentally wrong.
in other words they are deeply conditional. without that conditionality of course they would not be prepared to put their money into egypt.
you would expect me to be able to talk with them quietly just as when secretary of state kerry went.
we have started the conversation but you will appreciate that we are waiting for more information from them before we can go forward in any way.
we also know that this journey is extremely difficult.
it is about the elections in twenty thirty and fifty years.
of course they should look again at the death sentences and they should of course commute them without question.
it is very important that we continue the regular visits.
in everything that we do with the egyptian authorities sometimes in a very lively way and sometimes very quietly we are absolutely clear about our view on where they are trying to go and how they are moving forward.
it is not only fundamentally important for all the values we hold but if the economy is going to go forward grow and develop they are going to need the intelligence wisdom and support of the women in the community as well.
my analysis is that we in the european union have to try to work and support the people of egypt and i emphasise the people of egypt.
i am very concerned about what is happening with women in egypt.
the coptic christians have been mentioned several times and we are in touch with them.
we want these people to have a real future and we will do everything we can to stand with them and support them in that journey.
these are our neighbours eighty five million people who are on a journey whose destination we want to help them reach and support to ensure that it encompasses the values that we hold.
i wonder if you can reassure us that this money is well targeted and being well controlled.
we have been very generous in aid to egypt in recent years.
what we did yesterday the united states is only coming forward with today so well done european union on that front.
rather than seeing hope spreading through the region today i see nervousness only.
today they are now presented simply as women who asked for it'. that quite clearly is unacceptable.
mr president may i first congratulate you on the leadership you have shown when it comes to egypt.
when i look at the coptic christians and minorities they are targeted they are fleeing they are persecuted.
when i met with their parliament on two occasions i heard the sort of language they speak and as one lancastrian to another you will know the very cool headed approach that we take.
in that revolution the egyptian people and above all the young people demanded more freedoms and of course they wanted a better economic life.
egyptian society is being more and more polarised;
as in any revolution there are no quick fixes;
the major political forces in egypt to one table.
no? they need it desperately.
seventh; that you
in an increasingly globalised and connected world with half of the citizens in the middle east being under twenty six years of age we must remain conscious of who the future generation will remember as defending their freedoms and rights as though they were their own.
this is a man made disaster for which bashar al assad is responsible and we must make him stop.
let it not be eu member states who fail to enforce the arms embargo and sanctions.
let it not be european technology companies that export systems used for mass surveillance censorship tracking and tracing of dissidents.
aside from a government led war on syrian citizens an information war is raging.
can the council and commission guarantee that eu sanctions and embargos are enforced?
let it not be the same oil that fuels our cars to drive to the grocery store fuelling the tanks roaming the streets of homs.
foreign journalists are expelled and brave citizen journalists risk their lives to share videos of their freedom cheers that are met with slaughter.
these are people like you and me.
mr verhofstadt has mentioned our group priorities and i want to emphasise some additional important and concrete steps that the eu can take to step up its own efforts irrespective of how china and russia seek to obstruct any un measures.
but we have to stick to that.
we have to show that we are really defending them and that we want to go in if it is necessary.
i stress the need for further diplomatic action in order to change russia's opinion and support the syrian public fighting for change.
the un human rights council cannot keep track of their numbers.
these are the actions of a government which has lost its legitimacy in front of its own people and in front of the international community.
at the same time we must reach out to the syrian people and work with humanitarian organisations to develop humanitarian corridors to help the people.
we should cut the money supply through further sanctions on the sales of gold and precious gems.
the eu has imposed an asset freeze and visa ban on one hundred and eight individuals and an asset freeze on thirty eight entities.
any settlement if it is to work must take these factors into account.
i think this requires an explanation that few of the assessments have so far offered.
the alawites have co opted the druze the christians and the shia.
the assad regime has not offered a single meaningful concession to the social forces demanding change.
it is a mistake to see syria as a unified society far from it it is wholly divided with basically five major groups living side by side. the group that has monopolised power is the alawites to which assad's own extended family belongs.
taken together they make up about thirty of the population.
the fear of the ruling establishment is that a simple majority system would put power in the hands of the sunni majority with no guarantees that other groups would be included in a future regime run by the sunnis.
otherwise sadly the fighting and killing will go on because neither side will see any benefit from a settlement. international guarantees for the security and wellbeing of syria's minorities are essential if a settlement is to last.
in accordance with the arab league's plan it is also essential that the regime frees political detainees removes troops tanks and weapons from the cities and allows independent observers and the media to freely travel and report in syria.
the eu has throughout the conflict stood by the syrian people and the high representative continues to increase pressure on the syrian authorities through multiple levels.
the eu has been leading international calls for strong un action.
that the eu will continue to support all efforts by the league of arab states and called once more on all members of the un security council to assume their responsibilities.
the valued statements made in the european parliament and the resolutions adopted by this house have helped the eu to shape its policy towards syria. it is important that we maintain pressure on the syrian regime.
the high representative is making the case rapidly with members of the security council and regional partners to achieve this goal.
the international community has a responsibility to stop the regime's killing machine.
it asked the un security council to issue a resolution to form a joint arab un peacekeeping force to supervise the implementation of a ceasefire. the arab league has also decided to enforce the economic sanctions of previous resolutions of the arab league
we welcome this development. the tunis meeting will provide a timely opportunity to build an international consensus on syria and put forward urgent proposals to stop the killings and to seek a peaceful outcome to the current crisis.
the eu is ready to mobilise assistance to relieve the hardship of the syrian population.
on the diplomatic front catherine ashton has been speaking to secretary general el arabi to discuss next steps and express our political support for the efforts that the arab league is undertaking to solve the syrian crisis.
close coordination among the eu missions in damascus is taking place also with respect to contingency planning.
the work on the un front must go
the high representative has also offered eu expertise in the area of sanctions and has stressed the need to coordinate closely in the dialogue with opposition groups.
the un high commissioner for human rights in her assessment said that the assad regime had manifestly failed' to fulfil its obligation to protect its population and had engaged in crimes against humanity.
on. we continue to seek the support of partners so that the security council can come back to this issue in due course and agree on a strong resolution on syria.
there is no doubt that the eu and the high representative will take an active part in this endeavour.
the human rights council at its upcoming session should also take appropriate action on syria.
the commission is preparing a contingency plan in the area of humanitarian assistance.
the high representative has stressed the key role of regional involvement and arab league leadership.
do. not only to observe and report on the situation but also to signal clearly that the regime cannot repress its population in total impunity and the syrian people will not be left alone.
it is essential to encourage them to strengthen their coordination and develop a common vision on the way forward in order to convince the syrian population of the value of their cause and to promote an orderly and peaceful transition in syria.
while bilateral cooperation with the syrian regime is entirely suspended the commission and the external action service continue to support projects to the benefit of ngos syrian civil society organisations and human rights defenders as well as palestinian refuges.
the european parliament has a key role in ensuring that the syrian people are not left alone in their struggle.
i would also like to thank you honourable members for your support in the past months.
last monday during a debate at the united nations general assembly on the situation in syria a vast majority of un member states condemned the widespread violation of human rights by the regime.
the time has come to speak with one voice and demand an end to the bloodshed and a democratic future for syria.
the urgent priority for now is to stop the regime's repression and the escalating violence.
to this end the eu is intensively engaged with the league of arab states and other players to find a peaceful solution.
mr president as we look to syria we recognise the horror of what is happening now but also the potential that this crisis could escalate resulting in even greater bloodshed.
instead they are experiencing increased persecution.
their actions have given the lead to president al assad in claiming that he has international backing for his actions.
that is a heavy responsibility in light of the continued bloodshed on the streets of syria and the purge of the city of homs.
there is much to fear as to what will come next.
we want to see syria free from the tyranny of al assad but we want to ensure that the new syria is one where everyone can live peaceably including the christian minority.
it is deeply regrettable that the minimum action required at this stage the un resolution was vetoed by china and russia. it is vital that pressure be brought to bear on russia in particular to recognise their responsibility in this region.
two five million christians they look at what has happened in egypt and iraq and see that freedom of religion is not part of the new dawn.
what is our responsibility to protect using the united nations instruments that we have created?
madam president would my honourable friend agree with me that in two thousand and six at the united nations we started this process on the responsibility to protect which was done to great fanfare? i do not hear the words responsibility to protect' coming from the council.
desperate oppressed people take desperate measures to defend themselves and the country due to deficiencies of the international community is heading towards civil war. iran's support of the assad regime has an explanation.
but the russian position is perplexing.
let us hope that this is a temporary stance in order to boost the putin candidacy using it as domestic bravado for domestic consumption.
we commend the high representative's statement for further sanctions and restrictive measures to be introduced and her intentions to get together with all the other international actors concerned for concerted action to end this intolerable repression. no regime which turns its military might against its own people has survived
madam president the shelling in the city of homs by the syrian regime is atrocious and must be condemned unequivocally by the international community. the decision of china and russia to veto a un resolution condemning this brutal crackdown and the killing of many unarmed women and children is also shameful.
syria must be made to guarantee protection for peaceful protesters and uphold the fundamental human right to freedom of expression.
this is not possible in my view with assad still in power.
he bears ultimate responsibility for any criminal actions of the army in particular the most active alawite units as many sunni units are now defecting when deployed militarily.
he must recognise the popular rejection of his dictatorship and step aside in the national interest.
this in my view is dangerous at this stage as we do not know who they all are and what role the jihadis play in this and how this might cause a proxy war with iran and hezbollah on one side pouring in arms to the ba'athist regime and saudi arabia and qatar arming islamist insurgents with innocent unarmed christians alawites not allied to the regime and other minorities from kurds to the druze being caught up in a bloody civil war with major reprisals against non sunni muslims. however i and my group would support setting up a safe haven for refugees with a no fly zone if eventually militarily possible near the turkish border. but even that is not clearly achievable at this stage. however every other economic sanction against damascus must be put in place urgently.
so it is gratifying that i have heard already from the commissioner of the transatlantic bearing of this issue.
we all know very well what happens when corporations are involved in things which are too complex and too risky.
to this end financial business and other key business are accommodated in this particular report whether they are banks or insurance or involved in securities.
this legislation spreads out the approach to those risks.
commissioner may i just mention to you now that transatlantic issues are still alive and we need to ensure that the financial conglomerates are a part of that discussion particularly in the tec.
please come back to me on that. on the directive itself you are right stress testing the role of authorities correlation tables are notable successes for parliament.
we won them in a hard fight within the trialogues.
madam president a key feature in the supervision of conglomerates is ensuring that there is avoidance of regulatory repetition but it is also important to have a level playing field as viewed from the separate sectoral companies with which they compete.
this underlines several of the amendments that have been made and there is the specific point included that all risks are incorporated while eliminating supervisory and prudential overlaps.
happily all institutions finally agreed on them being necessary in this instance because it gets complicated fitting it in to all the other legislation.
but more generally i reinforce that correlation tables are vital as part of the european supervisory architecture.
in the interinstitutional agreement i think we might also have to look at sector by sector as well as case by case exemptions from whatever is agreed.
inclusion of uniform reporting formats frequency and dates within two years of adoption of implementing technical standards has also been agreed and will make supervision easier.
as has been mentioned stress tests are included but not yet mandatory. as the rapporteur said making them compulsory features in the review clause.
i also confess that i am a little disappointed that the issue of scope is only in the review clause in particular looking at the material relevance of the financial part of a large conglomerate rather than just having a threshold.
in practice some member states may have this under control but i really do not see why we could not have been bolder at this point in time.
as others have said this is a good outcome but the next review should be bolder and we have made the point here of many of the issues that we will wish to see.
to give them that kind of publicity to give them that kind of oxygen is completely wrong. we should think again about that conference of presidents' decision.
i think iran is now beyond the pale;
she has presented a very comprehensive report on something which i believe could be a wonderful alternative to court cases.
i agree with the rapporteur that we have to aim for a strict application of the provisions.
in two thousand and twelve i intend to present a communication on the way this directive has been implemented. it will focus on the effect of the directive with regard to the promotion of mediation.
one mediator told me that last year he mediated one hundred and fifteen disputes in the uk.
i am receiving an increasing number of requests for assistance from my constituents who are involved in cross border disputes family disputes over custody access to children and maintenance payments property housing problems and businesses chasing payments they are owed in another eu member state. going to court is costly;
given the number of disputed property cases we have in the eu i would also like to use today as an opportunity to ask the commission and the member states to make more use of mediation systems to assist our constituents in disputes such as the numerous cases we have in spain and cyprus.
our findings in drawing up this report demonstrated that mediation is a very valuable tool for consumers and businesses.
establishing a mediation procedure to bring an end to these costly and lengthy disputes will of course increase these citizens' access to justice.
and we welcome commissioner reding the fact that you are starting infringement proceedings against nine member states.
they should provide more training for mediators and encourage the drawing up of voluntary codes of conduct.
mediation is therefore a flexible speedy and cost effective way to resolve disputes;
it gives them more responsibility in resolving their disputes;
it allows the parties greater control;
this report was drawn up to check on how the twenty seven member states are implementing the two thousand and eight european mediation law and its guidelines. when we drafted this law in two thousand and eight i know that some members were not convinced of the need for a european directive but i believe that the hearings and consultations we conducted demonstrated that we do need eu wide guidelines on mediation.
we note that some member states have gone further than the eu guidelines but we hope that our committee report based on practitioners' and users' views will provide useful input so that we can better serve our citizens with an affordable and efficient system for access to justice.
i believe this is the case because best practice in mediation shows that across europe there is a seventy success rate with mediation cases and in fact this rises to eighty if the parties voluntarily choose mediation.
but by the time they reached mediation eur five million had already been swallowed up by the courts and lawyers across three different states and it would have taken another two years to try and solve that problem in court. so today i want to encourage the commission and member states to continue to strengthen and implement the eu law and give consumers and businesses an alternative to costly legal disputes.
and i believe it is especially beneficial in family disputes concerning children because it can dramatically shorten the period of time required to reach agreement and this is better for children's wellbeing and reduces anxiety conflict and stress in the family.
we need to have a broad information campaign in order to inform citizens that mediation is possible and to train the mediators so that they can be very efficient in carrying out mediation between the parties.
it is for member states to decide on procedural law as well as substantive law.
arbitration inevitably leads to a decision whereas mediation simply might facilitate a negotiated settlement but if it does not it will simply add to costs. nevertheless in matrimonial and custody cases i believe mediation is suitable largely because in such cases negotiated settlements are desirable in themselves as they are more likely to be observed.
parliament has shown itself at its best in looking at what has happened in the various member states and highlighting what needs to be done and also what has been done well.
i have to admit that i was one of those sceptics that mrs mccarthy referred to.
i was nervous when a directive was first proposed because parliament when looking at the green paper had said first of all that we did not want legislation because we were concerned that this would threaten the diversity and experimentation which we saw taking place in mediation across the member states.
i have to say we have seen through our workshop and through this report that nothing could be further from the truth.
the directive has done a good job in providing a framework a framework which allows experimentation and the diversity of approaches to flourish across the member states.
it is not a straitjacket but it does provide sufficient legal certainty.
some practitioners mutter about problems to do with the confidentiality of the process.
and fantasy from ukip as usual. this is about the exchange of best practice as the commissioner said between european citizens and local authorities between consumers ngos and local organisations coming together to develop innovative projects.
it is a scandal that we have fifty million citizens in energy poverty.