misclassified/meps_speeches huggingface dataset:
Relations with the Palestinian Authority (debate)
Speaker: Fabio Massimo CASTALDO (Italy, Non-attached Members / Movimento 5 Stelle)
Date: 2023-07-11

  Fabio Massimo Castaldo (NI).   – Madam President, Madam Commissioner, I would like to thank our rapporteur, Evin Incir, for the excellent recommendation that correctly reaffirms our commitment to a two-state solution, calls for an immediate cessation of violence, and stresses the importance of organising free and fair elections in Palestine.
Countless Palestinian and Israeli lives are lost every day. While recognising the legitimate security concerns of Israel about terrorism, we cannot ignore that the expansion of illegal settlements, as well as the destructions and the civilian victims provoked by the Israeli government’s military operations, not only pose a significant obstacle to the realisation of a two-state solution, but also tragically contribute to a growing rejection from the Palestinian people of a moderate leadership.
Therefore we must support and facilitate effective cooperation with the Palestinian Authority to build up democratic institutions. But we must also foster our cooperation with that part of the Israeli civil society that is clearly standing against all abuses and calling for the rejection of the hardliners’ long-term plan: building a state for the settlers in place of the Palestinian State, as the UN’s permanent observer said.
Dear colleagues, we must not lose sight of our shared goals: a future where Israelis and Palestinians can live side by side in peace, security and mutual respect. Therefore I call on each of you to support this recommendation, sending them a message of hope and determination.
2022 Report on Bosnia and Herzegovina (debate)
Speaker: Fabio Massimo CASTALDO (Italy, Non-attached Members / Movimento 5 Stelle)
Date: 2023-07-11

  Fabio Massimo Castaldo (NI).   – Madam President, Commissioner, dear colleagues, it is often said that the decision to speed up the concession of the candidate status to Bosnia and Herzegovina is rooted in the changed geopolitical environment, especially the Russian war against Ukraine. This, in my opinion, is a sad reality. We cannot continue to treat the Western Balkans as a geopolitical problem that requires our reaction to external inputs. The potential increase of influence from third actors is certainly a growing danger that we should take into account, but we need also to take a lead and that cannot be our sole guiding light.
It is also necessary to start to be coherent with our values. We have to sanction, finally, the secessionist actions of Dodik that is freezing and jeopardising the functioning of the state and is also undermining all chances of constitutional major reforms in the country. We must adopt, therefore, a proactive approach, leaving apart the tactical manoeuvres that in the past certain Member States have used so far to slow down the enlargement and to not take measures. Let us defend the perspective towards the European future for the Bosnians, let us realise that the Western Balkans are future members of our Union and not simple partners that we should convince to stay on our side. Otherwise we will simply continue to react to threats and at a certain point it will be simply too late.
2022 Report on Albania (debate)
Speaker: Fabio Massimo CASTALDO (Italy, Non-attached Members / Movimento 5 Stelle)
Date: 2023-07-11

  Fabio Massimo Castaldo (NI).   – Madam President, Commissioner, dear colleagues, in 2022, after regrettable delays, we finally have reached a significant milestone with the official start of the accession talks and acknowledgment of the remarkable progress Albania has made in advancing the EU reform agenda. Tirana has consistently demonstrated unwavering commitment to EU integration, both in the political and the public domain. I commend the report for acknowledging this dedication, while also highlighting areas that require further attention and efforts, particularly the fight against corruption and media freedom. 
Dear colleagues, recent events, especially the criminal aggression in Ukraine, have emphasised once again an obvious truth – strength lies in unity. Now more than ever, the completion of the EU enlargement in the Western Balkans has become a strategic priority for the future of our Union. 
It is not by chance that the candidate countries, including Albania, have been particularly targeted by Russian disinformation and hybrid attacks. We have demonstrated in practice, and not just in words, our resolute commitment to enlargement, avoiding further factious delays that undermine our credibility and frustrate our partners. 
Although significant work remains to be done, Albania is undoubtedly on the right track. I urge them to keep delivering on the necessary reforms foreseen and our Union, especially the Member States, to recognise and reward their efforts in the critical years of negotiation ahead.
Lessons learnt from the Pandora Papers and other revelations (debate)
Speaker: Fabio Massimo CASTALDO (Italy, Non-attached Members / Movimento 5 Stelle)
Date: 2023-06-14

  Fabio Massimo Castaldo (NI).   – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, signor Commissario, a distanza di due anni dalle scioccanti rivelazioni del Consorzio internazionale dei giornalisti investigativi, che hanno implicato uomini politici, uomini d'affari, personaggi pubblici, sinceramente fin troppo poco è stato fatto. Ma noi non dobbiamo smettere di lottare affinché scandali di questa portata non accadano nuovamente. Ne va soprattutto della tenuta della nostra democrazia, vista la costante erosione della fiducia dei cittadini verso lo Stato di diritto, e del nostro sistema economico. 
Domani voteremo in favore della relazione, in quanto è stato fatto davvero un ottimo lavoro dal relatore e lo ringrazio. Tuttavia, ahimè, senza impegni più vincolanti per i nostri Stati membri rischiamo che questi buoni propositi diventino semplicemente delle parole al vento. La difesa degli informatori dei giornalisti è una questione di vitale importanza, cui si contribuirebbe anche attraverso l'istituzione di un fondo per il giornalismo d'inchiesta, come ipotizzato nella relazione stessa. 
L'evasione e l'elusione fiscale, compresa la pratica dei regimi preferenziali messa in campo da alcuni Stati membri, che possiamo definire quindi complici, che non fanno altro che sottrarre risorse necessarie agli altri Stati, sono invece patologie da debellare a qualunque costo. Lo dobbiamo ai nostri cittadini, lo dobbiamo agli onesti contribuenti, lo dobbiamo agli ultimi che puntualmente diventano i primi quando si tratta di compiere sacrifici, specialmente economici.
Question Time (VPC/HR) - Relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and at the Lachin Corridor
Speaker: Fabio Massimo CASTALDO (Italy, Non-attached Members / Movimento 5 Stelle)
Date: 2023-06-13

  Fabio Massimo Castaldo (NI).   – Mr President, dear High-Representative Borrell, first of all, I would like to thank you for being here today with us for discussing once again the relationship between Armenia and Azerbaijan. 
Despite the fact that the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and especially in the Lachin corridor continue to cause concern due to the volatility of the security environment, I strongly believe that it is now time to devote all our attention to the relationship between the two capitals. 
Indeed, we are now seeing a window of opportunity for a comprehensive peace agreement, and I do believe that it is essential that our Union plays a major role in this phase, not only by brokering the negotiations, but also in what concerns the guarantees that the Armenian side rightfully demands. 
Talking about the negotiations, what role we can play in ensuring that the potential peace deal is truly acceptable by both sides, thus avoiding a recrudescence of hostilities in the future? What we can do to facilitate the return of the war prisoners held by Baku, actually isolated from their families? And on the practical side, what can be our contribution to the international mechanism for guaranteeing the security of the Armenian population residing in Nagorno-Karabakh? Do you see any involvement and subsequent reinforcement of our CSDP mission on the ground?
Question Time (VPC/HR) - Relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and at the Lachin Corridor
Speaker: Fabio Massimo CASTALDO (Italy, Non-attached Members / Movimento 5 Stelle)
Date: 2023-06-13

  Fabio Massimo Castaldo (NI).   – Yes, thank you, Chair. Our representative, following on from your suggestion, I wanted to ask you one of the key issues that I think could be very important for the peace process, the mining, the demilitarised zones. If a mutually acceptable internationally guaranteed peace agreement is to be reached, we must make sure that all the areas affected by hostilities are made safe for the civilians. Our Union and the Member States have a consistent experience with mining and, thus, I was wondering if we already have offered our full support to this end and if this can be done through a proper CSDP mission really focused on de-mining or agreed bilaterally on an ad hoc basis?
EU Day for the victims of the global climate crisis (debate)
Speaker: Fabio Massimo CASTALDO (Italy, Non-attached Members / Movimento 5 Stelle)
Date: 2023-06-12

  Fabio Massimo Castaldo (NI).   – Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, signora Commissaria, tanti affrontavano e ancora oggi affrontano il problema del cambiamento climatico con un atteggiamento troppo spesso passivo, e in alcuni casi addirittura vigliacco, specialmente chi si va a trincerare dietro l'illusione che gli eventi estremi a esso correlati siano casi isolati o comunque ineluttabili. Nei nostri occhi ci sono ancora le devastanti immagini delle inondazioni in Belgio e in Germania e, più di recente, quelle avvenute nel mio paese, in Italia, colpito al cuore per due volte in rapida successione, prima nelle Marche e poi in Emilia-Romagna. 
Una politica miope e interessata solo al tornaconto elettorale immediato continua a giocare con la vita delle persone. I nostri governi, a partire da quelli dei paesi più a rischio, tra cui il mio, dove i fondi dedicati al contrasto al dissesto e alla transizione energetica scontano i maggiori ritardi, devono porre al centro della propria agenda la messa in sicurezza del nostro territorio, senza scuse assurde e scellerate per negare la realtà.
Per onorare davvero tutte le vittime, per onorare davvero tutti i bambini morti in queste emergenze, noi non possiamo accontentarci di appelli accorati e di strategie generali. Servono azioni coraggiose. Dobbiamo approvare il regolamento per il ripristino della natura. Dobbiamo escludere dal Patto di stabilità tutte le spese per il personale impegnato nelle emergenze. Se non ora, quando?
Roadmap on a Social Europe: two years after Porto (debate)
Speaker: Fabio Massimo CASTALDO (Italy, Non-attached Members / Movimento 5 Stelle)
Date: 2023-05-10

  Fabio Massimo Castaldo (NI).   – Signor Presidente, signor Commissario, onorevoli colleghi, a 73 anni dalla dichiarazione Schuman possiamo guardare indietro ed essere coscienti dei passi avanti che abbiamo compiuto.
Ma se veramente vogliamo preservare e migliorare ancor di più ciò che abbiamo ottenuto con fatica, con tante e innumerevoli sfide, una vera e propria Europa sociale per noi è il prossimo passo da compiere, necessario e imprescindibile.
Con la risoluzione dello scorso marzo abbiamo ribadito nuovamente la necessità di dotarci di una direttiva su un adeguato reddito minimo, una direttiva che serva a migliorare ulteriormente accessibilità, adeguatezza ed efficacia di questi strumenti. Le reti di sicurezza sociale contribuiscono a ridurre le diseguaglianze e le disparità sociali, rafforzando la convergenza sociale verso l'alto e promuovendo al contempo l'integrazione nel mercato del lavoro.
Tuttavia mentre noi cerchiamo di spingere in questa direzione, alcuni paesi, tra cui purtroppo il mio, l'Italia, stanno in realtà riducendo il loro supporto ai cittadini più fragili e divergendo sempre più dal resto dell'Unione, speculando biecamente con la loro propaganda sulla pelle dei più deboli.
L'Europa a cui aspiriamo, quella che vogliamo e dobbiamo lasciare ai nostri figli, è un'Europa sociale e inclusiva, solidale, che non lasci nessuno indietro.
Dobbiamo e vogliamo muoverci tutti nella stessa direzione e quei governi che tornano indietro vanno sanzionati, non tollerati o, ancora peggio, elogiati per i propri misfatti.
Situation in Sudan (debate)
Speaker: Fabio Massimo CASTALDO (Italy, Non-attached Members / Movimento 5 Stelle)
Date: 2023-05-09

  Fabio Massimo Castaldo (NI).   – Madam President, dear Commissioner, dear colleagues, once again, we are witnessing what could turn out to be another humanitarian catastrophe, and it is paramount to use all our means to prevent it.
However, we cannot limit ourselves to the provisions of immediate humanitarian aid. This time, it is imperative to accompany our actions with a thorough reflection on our approach to foreign policy. In my recommendation on a strategic partnership with the Horn of Africa and Eastern Africa, approved last October, this House pointed out the absolute need to establish a thorough engagement with our counterparts based on the preventive and substantial dialogue aiming at understanding the needs and working together towards the solutions.
I have the feeling that this has not happened in Sudan as the long-lasting problems that persist since the coup that overthrown al-Bashir are at the core of the current disaster. We welcome the talks for a democratic transition, full of wishful thinking, as it should be, but we must understand that hoping for the best is not sufficient. If we do not engage constructively and in a timely, effective manner, we will always need to run for cover when it is already too late and this is something that cannot be accepted anymore.
2022 Report on Kosovo (debate)
Speaker: Fabio Massimo CASTALDO (Italy, Non-attached Members / Movimento 5 Stelle)
Date: 2023-05-09

  Fabio Massimo Castaldo (NI).   – Madam President, dear Commissioner, dear colleagues, we must be explicit. To move forward on their European path, it is essential for both Kosovo and Serbia to abandon provocative language and hostile actions, leaving space for concrete efforts to reach mutually acceptable and negotiated solutions.
The road towards EU integration will require difficult decisions and compromises, and it is crucial for both Belgrade and Pristina to start thinking in the long term and focus on the larger goal of a European future. Our contribution to these efforts is clear. We must be firm in our commitments and continue to do our best to prove the clear benefits of EU membership. To do so, I believe it is essential to reinforce and to find synergies of action between the EU initiatives for the region and the other bi or multilateral fora.
And I would like to thank the colleagues and the rapporteur that supported my amendment in both reports in the committee. Therefore, colleagues, I urge you to support the excellent job of the rapporteur in this report to recognise the progress made and to encourage both Pristina and Belgrade to continue their efforts towards finding solutions that will ensure a stable, prosperous European future for their citizens because they are the future members of our European family.
The need for a coherent strategy for EU-China Relations (debate)
Speaker: Fabio Massimo CASTALDO (Italy, Non-attached Members / Movimento 5 Stelle)
Date: 2023-04-18

  Fabio Massimo Castaldo (NI).   – Mr President, Madam President, High Representative, dear colleagues, it is certainly true that we are obliged to pursue a selective engagement with Beijing on those dossiers that are multilateral by nature, most notably the fight against climate change. But we cannot overlook those unacceptable behaviours that the Chinese Government refuses to leave apart.
Several colleagues in this room are still under sanctions. And last Friday, we have seen the unbelievable arrests of human rights activists that were going to a meeting with our delegation in Beijing. Furthermore, the so-called military exercises near Taiwan are dangerously similar to a fully-fledged invasion. And China’s neutrality regarding the Russian invasion of Ukraine is – quoting our High Representative – simply just not credible.
In diplomacy and in geopolitics, it takes two to tango. Nothing more than a mere selective engagement on certain issues can be accepted before we see real and effective actions from our Chinese counterparts in those fields that are not only essential to us, but universal by definition, such as human rights. Let’s keep the channel for dialogue open, but without being naive, therefore protecting our strategic infrastructure and our European technological sovereignty. And let’s always speak with one single voice to defend our red lines for real.
The Rights of children in Rainbow Families and same sex parents in particular in Italy (continuation of debate)
Speaker: Fabio Massimo CASTALDO (Italy, Non-attached Members / Movimento 5 Stelle)
Date: 2023-03-29

  Fabio Massimo Castaldo (NI).   – Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, sono sollevato che questo tema sia finalmente inserito in agenda oggi, ma anche profondamente addolorato. Sì, perché la violenza e la discriminazione contro le famiglie arcobaleno e le persone LGBTI diventano ogni giorno sempre più drammatiche nell'Europa e nel mio paese, in Italia.
Le famiglie omogenitoriali italiane hanno portato avanti negli anni una battaglia coraggiosa e complessa con giudici e nelle amministrazioni comunali, ritagliandosi piccoli spazi per assicurarsi una minima forma di riconoscimento e protezione. Quelle a cui stiamo assistendo sono le ultime di una serie di azioni del governo italiano per erodere ulteriormente i loro diritti, quelli delle famiglie arcobaleno e quelli delle bambine e dei bambini italiani.
Il Commissario per la giustizia Reynders su questo tema è stato perentorio e inequivocabile. Gli Stati membri devono riconoscere i figli dei genitori dello stesso sesso ai fini dell'esercizio dei diritti derivanti dal diritto dell'UE.
Come cittadini europei abbiamo il dovere di risolvere questa questione al riparo da strumentalizzazioni ideologiche e unirci in solidarietà con le tantissime famiglie arcobaleno e con le attiviste e gli attivisti scesi in piazza nelle scorse settimane, esortando l'Unione europea a utilizzare tutti i meccanismi a sua disposizione per garantire che l'Italia rispetti gli obblighi previsti dal diritto europeo.
Non possiamo permettere che i valori europei di uguaglianza e inclusione vengano compressi, minacciati e infine cancellati nel silenzio. Prendere in ostaggio i diritti dei bambini italiani non è solo assurdo politicamente, ma è anche inaccettabile moralmente. Colleghi, amici, non lasciamoli soli, perché l'amore è amore, sempre e comunque.
More Europe, more jobs: we are building the competitive economy of tomorrow for the benefit of all (topical debate)
Speaker: Fabio Massimo CASTALDO (Italy, Non-attached Members / Movimento 5 Stelle)
Date: 2023-03-15

  Fabio Massimo Castaldo (NI).   – Signor Presidente, caro Commissario, onorevoli colleghi, negli ultimi anni abbiamo visto una crescita esponenziale della richiesta di competenze digitali in moltissime professioni. L'Europa si trova nel bel mezzo di una vera e propria rivoluzione industriale, fatta di sviluppi promettenti ma anche di sfide che non dobbiamo sottovalutare. 
Una rivoluzione che può cambiare drasticamente la nostra economia e la nostra società. Sappiamo quanto sia importante la trasformazione digitale: si stima che il costo della non Europa in questo settore possa crescere nel tempo fino a raggiungere 1 300 miliardi di euro nel 2033. 
Tuttavia, queste transizioni vanno governate, non dobbiamo esserne travolti. Ed è bene che il 2023 sia intitolato Anno europeo delle competenze, perché c'è ancora tanto da fare sullo skilling e sull'upskilling. Difatti, studi insigni dimostrano come l'impatto della digitalizzazione sul mercato del lavoro dipenda principalmente proprio dalle competenze richieste e dal grado di routinarietà delle mansioni. Il 24% della popolazione poco qualificata, nella nostra Unione, è a rischio povertà, una percentuale che si riduce all'aumentare del livello di istruzione. 
Questa è la sfida davanti a noi e dovremmo essere particolarmente attenti a non lasciare davvero nessuno indietro, altrimenti saremo ovviamente preda di una pericolosissima rabbia sociale.
Failure of the Silicon Valley Bank and the implications for financial stability in Europe (debate)
Speaker: Fabio Massimo CASTALDO (Italy, Non-attached Members / Movimento 5 Stelle)
Date: 2023-03-15

  Fabio Massimo Castaldo (NI).   – Signora Presidente, gentile Commissaria, onorevoli colleghi, abbiamo seguito con grande apprensione il collasso della Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) di venerdì scorso, soprattutto visto il potenziale riverbero che ha avuto sulla filiale inglese e il possibile contagio nel nostro continente. 
Di fronte anche ai segnali inquietanti che arrivano dal Credit Suisse, vediamo un pattern tristemente simile a quanto accaduto 15 anni fa. Da una parte siamo rassicurati dai segnali positivi delle nostre autorità di supervisione sugli ottimi livelli di capitalizzazione e di liquidità delle banche europee, ma dall'altra speriamo, anzi chiediamo con grande forza, alla luce di questa crisi e delle relative preoccupazioni, che la BCE ascolti la voce della ragione e della prudenza, impegnandosi a scongiurare ulteriori aumenti dei tassi di interesse che farebbero impennare i costi di finanziamento oltre il dovuto, già insostenibili per imprese e famiglie. 
Inoltre, abbiamo anche visto che, nonostante la SVB fosse considerata una delle migliori banche degli Stati Uniti fino a qualche giorno prima del suo collasso, e nonostante il complesso quadro normativo che abbiamo adottato già da 15 anni a questa parte, le crisi possono comunque accadere. 
Un cigno nero non è mai impossibile. Abbiamo quindi il dovere di garantire i depositi dei nostri risparmiatori che devono essere sempre messi al sicuro. La Commissione e il Consiglio devono riprendere velocemente i negoziati sull'EDIS. Senza la terza gamba dell'Unione bancaria, il tavolo non sarà mai stabile.
Deterioration of democracy in Israel and consequences on the occupied territories (debate)
Speaker: Fabio Massimo CASTALDO (Italy, Non-attached Members / Movimento 5 Stelle)
Date: 2023-03-14

  Fabio Massimo Castaldo (NI).   – Mr President, the recent developments have shown a global alarming trend towards the normalisation of far—right and ultra—nationalist ideologies, with the potential to further erode the democratic principles on which the EU and the EU partnership are founded.
Israel makes no exception. As it is well known, the Pegasus spyware developed and distributed by an Israeli company is being widely used to target human rights defenders, journalists and political opponents across the world, including in our Union. This is an aspect that should be firmly taken into account in all our cooperation, especially when they are set up, and as it happened with the Israeli police force, including on cybercrimes, to ensure adequate controls and conditionalities, because the use of such spyware to silence dissidents and stifle free speech is a threat to democracy and must be firmly condemned.
As representatives of the European Union we must use our voice to call for greater accountability and transparency in the sale and the use of such technology. We must stand in solidarity with those who fight for human rights and democratic values, because only by working together can we ensure a future where all people can live in freedom, dignity and justice.
EU-Armenia relations (debate)
Speaker: Fabio Massimo CASTALDO (Italy, Non-attached Members / Movimento 5 Stelle)
Date: 2023-03-14

  Fabio Massimo Castaldo (NI),  per iscritto. – Cari colleghi, ritengo che non si possa continuare a fare appelli ad entrambe le parti in conflitto, mantenendo una postura equidistante, quando i comportamenti degli attori in causa sono diametralmente opposti. 
Da un lato abbiamo, l'Armenia, che ha sempre dimostrato un approccio propositivo ai tavoli negoziali, facendo aperture e dando il consenso alla presenza della nostra missione civile sul suo territorio nazionale. Dall'altra parte abbiamo l'Azerbaijan, che facendosi forte del supporto di stati autoritari come Turchia e Russia, e sfruttando appieno le latitanze della nostra Unione, mira a massimizzare, manu militari, i suoi vantaggi al tavolo negoziale. 
È evidente che esiste un parallelismo tra quanto sta accadendo in Ucraina e nel Caucaso, con l'invasione da parte di uno stato autoritario ai danni di una democrazia, ma è altrettanto evidente come, in quest'ultimo caso, i nostri principi e valori stiano venendo sacrificati sull'altare della realpolitik. 
Eppure, cari colleghi, dovremmo svincolarci dalla logica dei doppi standard che accompagna troppo spesso il nostro operato. I nostri principi e valori non sono in vendita, e non dovrebbero esistere quantità di risorse energetiche che possano mettere in discussione questa certezza, altrimenti che cosa resterebbe della nostra Unione?
Energy performance of buildings (recast) (debate)
Speaker: Fabio Massimo CASTALDO (Italy, Non-attached Members / Movimento 5 Stelle)
Date: 2023-03-13

  Fabio Massimo Castaldo (NI).   – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, nel Paese della bugia la verità è una malattia, diceva Collodi. Un aforisma sempre valido nel mio, dove la direttiva sulla prestazione energetica nell'edilizia è spesso presentata come un attacco verso il patrimonio immobiliare dei cittadini. 
In realtà, il testo ha ampie deroghe ed esenzioni. Sono assenti sanzioni automatiche, limitazioni alla vendita e c'è anche un ricalcolo delle classi energetiche. Insomma, siamo in piena crisi energetica: gli edifici sono responsabili del 40% dei consumi e del 36% delle emissioni di gas a effetto serra e la direttiva ci aiuta, invece, a sganciarci proprio dalla Russia e dagli altri regimi autoritari in termini di approvvigionamento energetico. Quindi noi la sosteniamo. 
Ma voglio essere molto chiaro su un punto: la conditio sine qua non per noi è l'istituzione di un fondo europeo di riqualificazione finanziato dal debito comune, così come previsto dall'articolo 9, paragrafo 6. È dirimente che si faccia insieme questo sforzo di rinnovamento del parco edifici, perché se così non fosse, visti i diversi spazi fiscali, rischieremmo di non raggiungere gli obiettivi e di creare distorsioni e diseguaglianze. No all'immobilismo dell'immobiliare, sì a un intervento con risorse certe per costruire insieme un futuro più verde, più giusto e più sostenibile.
European Central Bank - annual report 2022 (debate)
Speaker: Fabio Massimo CASTALDO (Italy, Non-attached Members / Movimento 5 Stelle)
Date: 2023-02-15

  Fabio Massimo Castaldo (NI).   – Madam President, President Lagarde, dear Commissioner, dear colleagues, you may not be allowed to admit it, yet deflation has started.
Given that large part of the sky-high record inflation that was steeply driven that started arising after the end of the sanitary measures and eventually exacerbated by the war in Ukraine; given that energy prices have come down significantly, we are really concerned about further raises of ECB interest rates to cut demand and consumption in order to lower inflation. It just doesn’t seem the right way to achieve it.
We need to address the root causes of inflation, tailoring the solution to the issue, which is mainly energy-related. I want to remind to all of us that, in this particular situation, it is up to the co-legislators to act, to continue with our efforts to diversify our energy sources and reduce energy consumption. I am afraid that keeping rising interest rates would only have a harsher impact on entrepreneurs and households, who we must defend – and I reiterate, defend – not threaten.
Establishment of an independent EU Ethics Body (debate)
Speaker: Fabio Massimo CASTALDO (Italy, Non-attached Members / Movimento 5 Stelle)
Date: 2023-02-14

  Fabio Massimo Castaldo (NI).   – Mr President, Madam Commissioner, the creation of an independent EU ethics body is a crucial first step in restoring public trust in the European Union after the Qatargate scandal. 
However, given its nature of interinstitutional agreement, with the timelines needed for such an act, there is an important necessity to use all our means to prevent such cases of corruption or misconduct from being repeated. 
President Metsola’s package is a good start but we can and we must do more. I am thinking, for example, about the need to clearly define conflict of interest and strictly regulate the phenomenon of the revolving doors to ensure transparency on the decision-making for our Parliament in the Bureau as well as in the CoP. 
There is an issue that I believe we must immediately fix to build a more democratic and accountable Europe. In 2019, the EU finally adopted a dedicated and comprehensive directive on whistle-blower protection, which does not include the staff members of the EU institutions, agencies and bodies. Speaking up is one of the hardest acts a person can do. It requires immense courage and sacrifice. We must encourage our whistle-blowers and we must protect them in the moment in which they will denounce.
Response to the situation in Tunisia (debate)
Speaker: Fabio Massimo CASTALDO (Italy, Non-attached Members / Movimento 5 Stelle)
Date: 2023-02-14

  Fabio Massimo Castaldo (NI).   – Mr President, in our latest discussion on the situation on Tunisia, we sent a very clear appeal to President Saied for bringing back Tunisia on the right path, saying that it was not too late for taking such an essential step. However, this is time, I think, that it is too late. Despite the civil protests and our calls, President Saied went on with these arbitrary detentions and he did not show any sign of consideration for the recent decision of the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights that defined his rise to power as an unconstitutional coup against democracy. Being a founding member of the African Court, Tunisia has a binding obligation to respect the verdict, thus repealing all those decrees that represent clear violations of human rights and individual liberties, President Saied, cannot act as if nothing happened. And our union must strongly support and back our African counterparts and partners in their efforts to restore democracy and the rule of law in the country that used to be the lighthouse of democracy in North Africa. 
We owe this to the Tunisian people that fought hard for a better future. Here there is no middle ground: either we stand firmly on the side of democracy or our international credibility will be lost forever.
Situation in Afghanistan (debate)
Speaker: Fabio Massimo CASTALDO (Italy, Non-attached Members / Movimento 5 Stelle)
Date: 2023-02-01

  Fabio Massimo Castaldo (NI).   – Madam President, dear Commissioner, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross, 55% of the Afghan population is in dire need of humanitarian assistance. And numbers are set to rise due to the winterisation of the crisis.
The decision to ban women from working in the public sector is not only unacceptable in itself, but it also constitutes a crime against humanity as it directly hampers the delivery of the humanitarian aids. Therefore, apart from expanding our individual sanctions to the Taliban leadership, we should also submit a formal request to the International Criminal Court to investigate and prosecute those responsible.
Nevertheless, we ask you, Madam Commissioner, to encourage and support the United Nations and engage NGOs to find workarounds that can prevent the halt of the humanitarian assistance.
Dear colleagues, we cannot look the other way while children, women and men, to which we promised a better future, are starving and do not have access to medicines. While we strongly and unwaveringly condemn the abhorrent policies put in place by the Taliban regime, we must do all we can for avoiding that Afghanistan becomes the hell on earth.
An EU strategy to boost industrial competitiveness, trade and quality jobs (debate)
Speaker: Fabio Massimo CASTALDO (Italy, Non-attached Members / Movimento 5 Stelle)
Date: 2023-01-18

  Fabio Massimo Castaldo (NI).   – Signora Presidente, signor Commissario Breton, gentile Ministra Roswall, onorevoli colleghi, i nostri concittadini hanno bisogno di una risposta forte dall'Unione alle sfide che ci vengono poste a livello internazionale. 
Non possiamo permettere la delocalizzazione all'estero della nostra industria, soprattutto verso mercati concorrenti come Stati Uniti e Cina. Gli obiettivi verdi che ci siamo posti attraverso gli incentivi per lo sviluppo di un'industria a impatto zero sono e restano centrali e indispensabili, ma la nostra risposta deve essere una risposta europea unitaria, che vada davvero a perseguire l'interesse generale dell'Unione. Ecco perché dobbiamo assicurare il rispetto della parità di condizioni a livello intra ed extra europeo, entrambi egualmente importanti. 
Servirà quindi un grande fondo europeo pubblico, evitando che i paesi con più spazio fiscale si salvino da sé a detrimento di tutti gli altri. Il dramma della pandemia ci ha insegnato che solo insieme possiamo difendere la nostra Europa e i nostri concittadini e solo insieme possiamo promuovere una vera autonomia e sovranità europea, anche tecnologica e industriale. Ricordiamocelo e applichiamolo veramente questo insegnamento, è più di un dovere politico, è un imperativo per noi morale.
Humanitarian consequences of the blockade in Nagorno-Karabakh
Speaker: Fabio Massimo CASTALDO (Italy, Non-attached Members / Movimento 5 Stelle)
Date: 2023-01-18

  Fabio Massimo Castaldo (NI).   – Mr President, in Nagorno—Karabakh, the guns are currently silent, yet the war is far from being over. 
Indeed, after the previous criminal attack to Armenia, we are now seeing one of the worst sides of the war, with a hateful blockade since 30 days of the Lachin corridor from fake Azeri eco—activists that are putting the lives of thousands of people, of children, of women and fragile persons at risk, not due to bombings or gunshots but to starvation and hindered access to medicines. We must seriously step up our force for stopping these atrocities.
First, our monitoring mission should have the mandate to enter the Lachin corridor immediately to verify what is happening on the ground. Yerevan has already granted access to its territories, and we demand Baku do the same without any further delay. Then we must be proactive in ensuring that the affected population receives the necessary humanitarian supplies, organising immediate relief to the region.
If the Baku regime denies access, we have to stand ready for adopting a set of adequate, strong sanctions targeting those responsible for these atrocities. Dear colleagues, in this context, any attempt to undermine access to food amounts to a war crime. We have loudly denounced that in Ukraine, and we must reaffirm that in the same way in Nagorno—Karabakh. When the lives of people are at risk, there is no space, not even a single inch, for double standards.
Situation of journalists in Morocco, notably the case of Omar Radi
Speaker: Fabio Massimo CASTALDO (Italy, Non-attached Members / Movimento 5 Stelle)
Date: 2023-01-18

  Fabio Massimo Castaldo (NI).   – Signora Presidente, gentile Commissaria, onorevoli colleghi, oggi abbiamo il dovere di sostenere il coraggio dei giornalisti marocchini, che sono stati tra i primi al mondo a denunciare l'uso di spyware contro i reporter e le inquietanti criticità di questa pratica di sorveglianza digitale già nel 2015. 
Bene aver fatto riferimento al testo del regolamento del dual use: è un passo importante, ma non basta. Dovremmo andare oltre e iniziare a pensare ai software e ai dispositivi di sorveglianza nello stesso modo in cui pensiamo alle esportazioni militari ordinarie, includendoli ogni volta in cui si parla di sanzioni o di embargo delle armi senza sconti e mettere finalmente sanzioni dure, automatiche e dissuasive per gli Stati inadempienti. Se non ora, quando? 
Cari colleghi, questa risoluzione è fondamentale per lanciare, dopo il Qatargate, un forte segnale alle autorità marocchine e prendere le distanze dalla condotta indegna di questa casa, tenuta da alcuni di noi. Il tempo dell'ambiguità, della connivenza, del chiudere un occhio o anche tutti e due è finito. Niente più business as usual. Dobbiamo applicare le stesse norme pensate per il Qatar e non ci faremo intimidire. 
Dobbiamo chiedere a gran voce la liberazione di Omar Radi, di tutti gli attivisti e giornalisti che si battono per la libertà della società civile marocchina, perché la loro lotta, la lotta per l'indipendenza è anche la nostra lotta. Speriamo di dirlo tutti insieme.
The establishment of a tribunal on the crime of aggression against Ukraine (debate)
Speaker: Fabio Massimo CASTALDO (Italy, Non-attached Members / Movimento 5 Stelle)
Date: 2023-01-17

  Fabio Massimo Castaldo (NI).   – Madam President, dear Commissioner, dear colleagues, the Russian cruise missile attack on Dnipro on Saturday afternoon was described as a hell on earth by those who were lucky enough to survive and witness the aftermath. In mere seconds, a building was transformed into a pile of rubble, resulting in 40 deaths, 75 injuries, and many missing. My thoughts and solidarity go out to the survivors, their families and the Ukrainian people.
In light of these horrible and unforgivable crimes, it is even worse to consider the possibility that those responsible could go unpunished. The silver lining is that we already have the instruments to make sure that this doesn’t happen. We just have to update and make full use of them. The golden path, I insist, would be to amend the Rome Statutes aligning the ICC jurisdiction on the crime of aggression with that already in place on genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.
If no agreement can be reached on this promptly, however, we should then push for the establishment of a special tribunal. The crucial point is to send a very clear message. There can and must be no impunity for the devastating consequences of this aggression, and those responsible must be prosecuted. We owe it to all the innocent victims of these barbaric crimes. They will not go unheeded. Not now. Not ever.
The humanitarian situation in Ukraine due to Russia’s attacks against critical infrastructure and civilian areas (debate)
Speaker: Fabio Massimo CASTALDO (Italy, Non-attached Members / Movimento 5 Stelle)
Date: 2022-12-15

  Fabio Massimo Castaldo (NI).   – Mr President, dear Commissioner, horrible war crimes have been committed daily in the past ten months. We have heard accounts of deliberate and indiscriminate attacks against civilians, torture, illicit use of weapons and the use of illicit weapons. And now also massive attacks against critical civilian infrastructures, preventing even hospitals from working properly and putting civilians, even babies and kids under the threat of frost and cold. 
A strong and unequivocal international legal response to the aggression against Ukraine, to this predatory and imperialist war unleashed by Russia, permitting no place for impunity for serious violations, and emphasising the legal responsibility of the perpetrators is therefore of utmost importance. 
And I use the occasion to call once more on the Union to update and integrate the decision of 2011 on ICC with a strong position on the crime of aggression, as called by our Resolution 2014, and to promote the reform of the Rome Statute aimed at aligning the ICC jurisdiction on the crime of aggression with that already in place of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.
Prospects for the two-State solution for Israel and Palestine (debate)
Speaker: Fabio Massimo CASTALDO (Italy, Non-attached Members / Movimento 5 Stelle)
Date: 2022-12-13

  Fabio Massimo Castaldo (NI).   – Mr President, dear colleagues, dear Commissioner, we often discuss here in the European Parliament on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and on the prospects for its resolution. It seems to me, though, that we are somehow disconnected from the situation on the ground. The reality of violence the people living in those lands are experiencing each and every day as we keep repeating on liturgy on the two—State solution being the only possible one. Let me be clear: I completely agree on that and I support that. But I wonder what are we really doing in practice to facilitate such outcome? And it’s clear the process has come to a complete standstill and our Union is not doing enough, or anything, to reignite it.
Dear colleagues, in the last period we have been discussing about strategic autonomy, about the need to find the EU’s place in the world, about being a more proactive geopolitical player, especially in our neighbourhoods. I can’t think of a better test to our determination than trying to facilitate a solution to a conflict that has been going on for far too long. We need a serious reflection on what we can do and especially on what we are willing to do. And most of all, we need concrete actions instead of never—ending discussions.
Turkish airstrikes on northern Syria and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (debate)
Speaker: Fabio Massimo CASTALDO (Italy, Non-attached Members / Movimento 5 Stelle)
Date: 2022-12-13

  Fabio Massimo Castaldo (NI).   – Signor Presidente, signora Commissaria, onorevoli colleghi, tutti i segnali indicano che le intenzioni di Erdoğan vanno ben oltre l'obiettivo di vendicare gli attacchi di Istanbul, peraltro senza aver mai prodotto prove in merito alle sue accuse, e che si stia preparando per mettere in pratica la minaccia di un'altra incursione militare in Siria.
Cari colleghi, a che punto abbiamo deciso di tirare la nostra linea rossa? Cipro e la Grecia sono vergognosamente vittime da anni della retorica aggressiva e delle violazioni di Erdoğan. Nonostante l'invasione dell'Ucraina, la Turchia non aderisce alle sanzioni, anzi continua a collaborare allegramente con Putin, bombarda le regioni liberate dall'Isis, aggredisce brutalmente l'Iraq, probabilmente utilizzando armi chimiche contro la popolazione civile.
Inoltre Ankara continua a operare ricatti e vergognose pressioni sulla Svezia e sulla Finlandia, richiedendo estradizioni e altri vantaggi per rimuovere il veto all'ingresso dei nostri due Stati membri nella NATO.
Questa, colleghi, è una discussione prettamente politica che richiederebbe una posizione ferma del Consiglio e un confronto in questa sede anche con l'Alto rappresentante. Con 49 di voi, colleghi e deputati, abbiamo attendiamo ancora una risposta alla lettera che abbiamo inviato due settimane fa all'Alto rappresentante Borrell sulla questione.
Nel frattempo le vorrei chiedere, Commissaria, siamo pronti a contribuire alla gestione della catastrofe umanitaria che si verificherà in Siria, all'afflusso di rifugiati che arriverà da queste zone quando l'Isis si riprenderà il terreno che ha perso, ad accogliere in modo conforme al diritto internazionale?
Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 20-21 October 2022 (debate)
Speaker: Fabio Massimo CASTALDO (Italy, Non-attached Members / Movimento 5 Stelle)
Date: 2022-11-09

  Fabio Massimo Castaldo (NI).   – Madam President, dear Presidents, I am deeply disappointed by the fact that the last European Council was silent on updates on South Caucasus, where Azeri troops occupied 220 square kilometres of Armenian sovereign territory, committing war crimes and crimes against humanity, such as executions and tortures. 
Here I see many similarities with what is happening in Ukraine, with a democratic country, Armenia, being attacked by an aggressive authoritarian regime – but there are also differences that I cannot tolerate. Indeed, while rightfully supporting Kyiv against the barbaric behaviour of Putin’s regime, our Union is perceiving Azerbaijan as a reliable partner. And no, it’s not, because realpolitik cannot replace our values, and these double standards are undermining our credibility. 
Armenia is a vibrant democracy that is not a Russian ally but, on the contrary, is simply a hostage of the Kremlin: its assertiveness and threatening attitude, and its decision to sacrifice Yerevan in exchange for a fully-fledged alliance with Baku and a complacency with Ankara. We must get out of this gas dependency trap, from all the authoritarian regimes, and the reluctance on a price cap is a huge mistake. 
The deployment of our monitoring mission is the first step, and its mandate should be extended permanently for all the time needed as well as the number of observers. But we need more, because blatant violations of international law should be condemned always and everywhere. I stand with democracy. I stand with Armenia.
EU-Western Balkans relations in light of the new enlargement package (continuation of debate)
Speaker: Fabio Massimo CASTALDO (Italy, Non-attached Members / Movimento 5 Stelle)
Date: 2022-10-19

  Fabio Massimo Castaldo (NI).   – Madam President, dear colleagues, dear Commissioner, moving further in the enlargement process is not only something we owe to our friends and partners in the Western Balkans, but it is also a strategic priority that has grown in relevance after the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine.
It is now clearer than ever that we need to reform the enlargement process further by moving beyond unanimity. I welcome the recommendation to grant Bosnia and Herzegovina the official status of candidate country, and I hope this could be that spark that the Sarajevo needs to double down on its commitments.
Now we need to keep on moving on the right path, and the next step must be the visa liberalisation for Kosovo. We do not advocate for shortcuts or cutting corners, but we must realise that we cannot afford never-ending negotiations and uncertainty at every step.
With the first IGC, with Albania and North Macedonia in July, we have partially remedied some silly mistakes from the past and we must learn the lessons. We need a realistic timeline, otherwise the partial void in the region would be filled even more by Russia, China, Turkey and the Gulf, because the European project will never be completed until all the Western Balkan countries will be part of our family.
Political situation in Tunisia (debate)
Speaker: Fabio Massimo CASTALDO (Italy, Non-attached Members / Movimento 5 Stelle)
Date: 2022-10-19

  Fabio Massimo Castaldo (NI).   – Madam President, dear Commissioner, dear colleagues, I am deeply saddened by the trajectory of Tunisia, a country for which I deeply care. It was once defined as the lighthouse of democracy in North Africa and in the Muslim world. This light is now dimmed, and since President Saied’s decision to suspend and then to close the parliament, we have assisted to the painful process of dismantling the progresses achieved previously.
Now, the people are once again in the streets protesting against the illegal suspension of democracy, the judicial persecution of political leaders and NGO activists and the catastrophic economic and social situation with a constitution that was not shared by the large part of the population.
Dear colleagues, I have an appeal and a request. The appeal is for Presidency Saied: it is not too late to bring back Tunisia on the right path. Do not deprive the brave Tunisian citizens for what they fought so hard for.
On our side, it is time to reflect on our relationship. We helped and we must continue to help the Tunisian people in the future, but our support to the government cannot be unconditional. We need to see democracy clearly coming back in Tunisia, and we must be clear also with President Saied. Only in this way we can be a decisive player in bringing back the enticing aroma of jasmine that ten years ago led us to believe that a different path was, and is still, possible.