misclassified/meps_speeches_with_translation.csv huggingface dataset:
Speaker: Fabio Massimo CASTALDO (Italy — Movimento 5 Stelle)
Political group: Non-attached Members
Date: 2023-10-03
Debate: Recent developments in the Serbia-Kosovo dialogue, including the situation in the northern municipalities in Kosovo (debate)

  Fabio Massimo Castaldo (NI).   – Mr President, dear colleagues, reconciliation between Serbia and Kosovo is far from being just a regional issue. It is a strategic imperative for the whole of Europe. The recent failure in advancing this process is yet another obstacle on our way. But we must remain firm in saying that the future of Western Balkans lies in our Union. This, of course, cannot remain just a slogan. We must insist on the 11-point plan presented last February. But it will be pivotal to give more concreteness to the provisions included therein. Only by setting a clear roadmap for the implementation and setting concrete incentives can we make sure that both parties stick to the promises they made. Then it will come to the parties to leave aside the long-lasting issues and focus on a common future.
Therefore, I appeal once more to the leadership in Belgrade and Pristina to de-escalate immediately the tensions in northern Kosovo. We are here supporting you. Let us work together with a proactive and constructive approach towards a shared goal to meet your peoples’ aspiration for a peaceful, stable and prosperous future within our common European family. Violence is not the answer. It is just the past.
Speaker: Fabio Massimo CASTALDO (Italy — Movimento 5 Stelle)
Political group: Non-attached Members
Date: 2023-09-13
Debate: State of the Union (debate)

  Fabio Massimo Castaldo (NI).   – Madam President, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to you for your clarity and courage today. You are right: history is calling for a geopolitical union to diligently protect our companies and workers from deceptive trade practices, subsidies and dumping employed by China. None of our Member States has the size, the strength nor the authority to safeguard our technological and industrial sovereignty in isolation. What has happened in recent years demonstrated this conclusively. Selling to public opinion the opposite at this juncture is much more than recklessly naive.
Similarly, failing to publicly and unequivocally condemn the intolerable crimes against humanity perpetrated by Russia against the Ukrainian people is an act of profound hypocrisy. No pursuit of fleeting, easy electoral consensus can justify immoral silences and ambiguities. Our duty extends far beyond the next election. It encompasses the well-being of future generations of Europeans – a commitment I will continue to uphold no matter the risks.
Yes, we must combine enlargement with political deepening. Yes, we must create an adequate budget financed by permanent common debt to protect our European common good. And yes, we must implement the necessary Treaty changes and launch a real European bottom up ...
(The President cut off the speaker)
Speaker: Fabio Massimo CASTALDO (Italy — Movimento 5 Stelle)
Political group: Non-attached Members
Date: 2023-09-13
Debate: The case of Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu, imprisoned in Azerbaijan

  Fabio Massimo Castaldo (NI).   – Madam President, dear Commissioner, dear colleagues, the illegal detention of Dr Ibadoghlu is yet another example of the continuous crackdown on the rule of law and the violation of human rights perpetrated by the authorities in Baku, both domestically and at the regional level. Inside the country no dissident is allowed. According to Human Rights Watch, in 2022 more than 30 people remained wrongfully imprisoned. NGOs are prevented from working independently and systemic torture and ill treatment in custody, as well as restrictions on media freedoms, are the alarming normality.
What is happening at the regional level is in front of our eyes. The hateful blockade of the Lachin corridor seriously jeopardised the lives of 120 000 ethnic Armenians, and the recent self-proclaimed willingness to reopen the corridor is nothing more than another attempt to absorb the region completely with the risk of a full-scale ethnic cleansing.
Dear colleagues, I have recently prepared a written question on the case of Dr Ibadoghlu and a letter on the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh. We have to show that the brutal behaviour of the Baku regime will not be tolerated. We have to show that this Parliament must stand firmly in support of the Azeri civil society and in asking for the release of all the political prisoners. The smell of gas and oil shall not cover the scent of freedom.
Speaker: Fabio Massimo CASTALDO (Italy — Movimento 5 Stelle)
Political group: Non-attached Members
Date: 2023-09-12
Debate: EU-Tunisia Agreement - aspects related to external migration policy (debate)

  Fabio Massimo Castaldo (NI).   – Signor Presidente, gentile Commissario, onorevoli colleghi, nonostante le numerose condanne di quest'Aula sulla deriva autoritaria del Presidente Saied, nel giugno scorso è stato ratificato il protocollo d'intesa tra la nostra Unione e la Tunisia, celebrato come una pietra miliare nel consolidamento di questo partenariato. 
Mentre la democrazia tunisina viene erosa ogni giorno di più, di fronte a noi c'è il dovere di interrogarci su chi sono gli alleati che vogliamo al nostro fianco e quali sono le linee rosse da tracciare, soprattutto quando parliamo di vite umane. Ma prima ancora di guardare in casa d'altri, dovremmo fare i conti con quanto accade all'interno della nostra unione. 
Non possiamo lasciare, infatti, che siano le volontà di alcuni governi, tra cui purtroppo quello del mio Paese, l'Italia, ad approcciare il fenomeno migratorio in maniera strumentale, scellerata e completamente irrispettosa dei diritti umani e a dettare quindi, infine, l'agenda europea. 
Pochi giorni dopo la firma dell'accordo, l'attuale governo italiano ha convocato una conferenza sulle migrazioni, definendo il protocollo d'intesa come l'inizio di una relazione diversa. Se per diverso si intende un approccio basato sull'assenza di condizionalità, su massicci respingimenti forzati di migranti rispediti nel deserto senza acqua né cibo, come accade frequentemente in Tunisia, ripetendo quindi gli errori e gli orrori dell'accordo Berlusconi-Gheddafi, non potremo più permetterci di parlare di futuro ma solo di un ritorno alle pagine più buie della nostra storia.
Speaker: Fabio Massimo CASTALDO (Italy — Movimento 5 Stelle)
Political group: Non-attached Members
Date: 2023-09-12
Debate: Iran: one year after the murder of Jina Mahsa Amini (debate)

  Fabio Massimo Castaldo (NI).   – Signor Presidente, gentile Alto rappresentante, onorevoli colleghi, a un anno dall'atroce assassinio di Mahsa Amini, qualcosa è cambiato in Iran ma sicuramente non in meglio. 
La leadership iraniana ha messo in atto misure ultrarepressive e brutali per rafforzare il suo controllo sulla popolazione: telecamere di sorveglianza sono state installate per le strade e migliaia di persone sono ancora ingiustamente detenute, senza alcun rispetto dei loro diritti fondamentali. 
Inoltre, abbiamo di recente appreso che il cittadino svedese, funzionario dell'Unione europea, Johan Floderus, è stato arrestato più di 500 giorni fa senza accuse formali ed è ancora in attesa di un processo. La silent diplomacy non è bastata. È il momento di portare questo caso alla luce, di chiedere con fermezza, apertamente, pubblicamente, il rilascio di Floderus. Non possiamo tollerare la ripugnante repressione del governo iraniano e dobbiamo utilizzare tutti i mezzi a nostra disposizione per riportare Johan a casa. 
Nonostante questo comportamento autoritario, donne e uomini stanno ancora lottando per la loro libertà, perché non ci sono scogli, colleghi, indipendentemente dalla loro dimensione, che possano arginare il mare: dobbiamo stare loro vicini nella loro aspirazione legittima a una società libera, in cui ognuno possa decidere per sé. Vi invito quindi a levare insieme la nostra voce: democrazia, giustizia e libertà per il popolo iraniano.
Speaker: Fabio Massimo CASTALDO (Italy — Movimento 5 Stelle)
Political group: Non-attached Members
Date: 2023-09-12
Debate: New Agenda for Latin America and the Caribbean in the aftermath of the EU-CELAC Summit (debate)

  Fabio Massimo Castaldo (NI).   – Signor Presidente, gentile Alto rappresentante, onorevoli colleghi, pochi partenariati sono realmente strategici come quello UE-CELAC, una relazione sulla quale ho sempre sostenuto debbano essere investite risorse significative, sia politiche sia finanziarie. 
Oggi, a circa due mesi dal summit, il primo dopo uno iato di otto anni, è giunto il momento di tirare le prime conclusioni. La dichiarazione finale è stata notevole, non tanto per ciò che contiene, ma per ciò che manca. Su tutto, una chiara condanna dell'aggressione russa in Ucraina. Una mancanza che sottolinea come le percezioni e le priorità possono divergere anche su questioni fondamentali. 
Ma non ci arrendiamo. Dopo questo lungo periodo, abbiamo rilanciato un dialogo politico che dovrà concentrarsi sugli aspetti di maggiore convergenza, come il cambiamento climatico. Perché solo insieme possiamo fare la differenza. Vorrei sottolineare poi l'importanza della cooperazione giudiziale, inclusa quella investigativa e penitenziaria, un pilastro fondamentale per affrontare le sfide del crimine organizzato e del terrorismo. 
E io penso al rilancio che l'idea di un trattato e di una convenzione internazionale giuridicamente vincolante possa e debba essere il giusto pilastro per una collaborazione più stretta tra i nostri continenti. Le nostre relazioni con l'America Latina possono e devono essere lo specchio della nostra ambizione geopolitica: a noi riflettere un'immagine trasparente e veramente coraggiosa.
Speaker: Fabio Massimo CASTALDO (Italy — Movimento 5 Stelle)
Political group: Non-attached Members
Date: 2023-09-11
Debate: European Defence Industry Reinforcement through common Procurement Act (EDIRPA) (debate)

  Fabio Massimo Castaldo (NI).   – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, signor Commissario, quello che ci troviamo a discutere oggi è uno strumento essenziale per porre rimedio alle annose frammentazioni che attanagliano il mercato della difesa europeo, frammentazioni che, stando ai più recenti dati, provocano un inaccettabile spreco di risorse e inefficienze stimate tra i 26 e i 130 miliardi di euro su base annua.
EDIRPA rappresenta una risposta a quello che in molti in questo Parlamento abbiamo spesso definito come il pilastro mancante nel processo di integrazione della difesa europea, ossia il procurement congiunto degli equipaggiamenti della difesa.
EDIRPA costituisce l'ulteriore tassello all'interno di un mosaico di strumenti in sinergia gli uni con gli altri. In un'ottica di medio termine sarà necessario ricondurre tutte le varie iniziative all'interno di un unico framework olistico e onnicomprensivo, l'EDIP. Solo così potremo muoverci verso una vera europeizzazione del settore della difesa e della sicurezza: due beni comuni che non possono prescindere dal finanziamento delle azioni necessarie attraverso l'emissione di debito comune.
Cari colleghi, in questi tempi incerti e minacciosi la storia ci pone di fronte a un guado: o proseguiamo nel solco dell'integrazione o ci ritroveremo impotenti di fronte all'operato di altri attori internazionali. Dobbiamo decidere di decidere, se non vogliamo che siano gli eventi a decidere per noi. Il tempo è essenziale. Ecco perché dobbiamo votare sì a EDIRPA e votare sì all'Europa della difesa.
Speaker: Fabio Massimo CASTALDO (Italy — Movimento 5 Stelle)
Political group: Non-attached Members
Date: 2023-07-11
Debate: Question Time (Commission) – EU-Africa Strategy

  Fabio Massimo Castaldo (NI).   – Madam Commissioner, thank you for being here today with us. As rightfully stated in the final declaration of the EU—African Union summit of February 2022, we do share with our African counterparts a series of common challenges that need to be addressed in a cooperative way. Further than that, in the EP recommendation for the Strategic Partnership with the Horn of Africa, for which I served as the rapporteur, we have stressed the need to reinforce this cooperation, leaving apart the obsolete donor recipient mentality and unleashing all its potential, basing our relation on timely, effective talks aimed at finding common ground.
One area in which it seems to be difficult to keep the same speed and agree on certain commitments is the one of energy transition. Therefore I would like to ask you to elaborate on key messages and expectations conveyed by our African counterparts in terms of their perspectives on transition paths. For example, what is the pace of it, and the means of financing it? Where do they expect us to contribute the most? Thank you very much, and I will be eager to listen to your reply.
Speaker: Fabio Massimo CASTALDO (Italy — Movimento 5 Stelle)
Political group: Non-attached Members
Date: 2023-07-11
Debate: Question Time (Commission) – EU-Africa Strategy

  Fabio Massimo Castaldo (NI).   – Dear Commissioner, thank you for the all the details. I would like to ask you something related to the domain in this case of peace and security. When we presented the European Peace Facility, we stated that this would have increased our readiness to support efforts from our partners, as well as the predictability of our actions.
Now that the EPF funds have been completely devoted to the much-needed support to Ukraine, how can we support our African counterparts? And is there any plan to devote specific funding to this end?
Speaker: Fabio Massimo CASTALDO (Italy — Movimento 5 Stelle)
Political group: Non-attached Members
Date: 2023-07-11
Debate: Relations with the Palestinian Authority (debate)

  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.
Speaker: Fabio Massimo CASTALDO (Italy — Movimento 5 Stelle)
Political group: Non-attached Members
Date: 2023-07-11
Debate: 2022 Report on Bosnia and Herzegovina (debate)

  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.
Speaker: Fabio Massimo CASTALDO (Italy — Movimento 5 Stelle)
Political group: Non-attached Members
Date: 2023-07-11
Debate: 2022 Report on Albania (debate)

  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.
Speaker: Fabio Massimo CASTALDO (Italy — Movimento 5 Stelle)
Political group: Non-attached Members
Date: 2023-06-14
Debate: Lessons learnt from the Pandora Papers and other revelations (debate)

  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.
Speaker: Fabio Massimo CASTALDO (Italy — Movimento 5 Stelle)
Political group: Non-attached Members
Date: 2023-06-13
Debate: Question Time (VPC/HR) - Relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and at the Lachin Corridor

  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?
Speaker: Fabio Massimo CASTALDO (Italy — Movimento 5 Stelle)
Political group: Non-attached Members
Date: 2023-06-13
Debate: Question Time (VPC/HR) - Relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and at the Lachin Corridor

  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?