misclassified/meps_speeches_with_translation.csv huggingface dataset:
Speaker: David McALLISTER (Germany — Christlich Demokratische Union Deutschlands)
Political group: Group of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats)
Date: 2021-05-18
Debate: EU strategy towards Israel-Palestine (debate)

  David McAllister,  on behalf of the PPE Group. – Madam President, the grave and ongoing escalation in Israel and in the occupied Palestinian territory, including the major upsurge in violence against Israel and in and around Gaza, is extremely worrying and must stop now. It has claimed the lives of so many innocent Israeli and Palestinian civilians, including children on both sides. The rocket attacks by the terror organisation Hamas have no justification and put the lives of innocent people at great risk. They must stop immediately.
Israel has a right and Israel has a duty to defend its citizens against terror attacks. I call on the Israeli Government to act with restraint and to do its utmost to avoid civilian casualties. As Minister Santos Silva just underlined, the European Union is actively engaged in diplomatic efforts to help defuse the violence. We should pursue close dialogue with the United States, but also with partners like Egypt and Jordan on an immediate and lasting ceasefire. Meaningful direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians towards a long—lasting and fair agreement on the two—state solution based on the internationally agreed parameters need to restart. The European Union and the United States should cooperate closely together in the Middle East Quartet to create the conditions for renewed confidence between the two negotiating parties.
Finally, let me be very clear. Yes, one can criticise Israel’s politics but there is no justification for anti—Semitism, hatred and violence, not on this continent and not in the European Union, which is committed to freedom of religion and human rights for all our citizens. Anti—Semitism in any form is unacceptable, anti—Semitic violence must be punished with the full force of law.
Speaker: David McALLISTER (Germany — Christlich Demokratische Union Deutschlands)
Political group: Group of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats)
Date: 2021-05-18
Debate: 2019-2020 Reports on Montenegro (debate)

  David McAllister (PPE).   – Madam President, as Tonino Picula and other speakers have already pointed out, Montenegro is currently the most advanced country in an EU accession process. However, as we have also heard, further reforms as regards the rule of law, the judiciary, media freedom and the fight against corruption remain essential.
The elections on 30 August last year resulted in the first transition of power since the introduction of the multiparty system in this country. Just 2 months ago in the Foreign Affairs Committee we have discussed the first 100 days of a new government with the new deputy Prime Minister of Montenegro, Mr Dritan Abazović. I welcome his clear commitment and pledge to keep a pro-EU and a pro-NATO course. This should be the position of all parties in the government.
Our priority and what will be key now is to deepen and to speed up reforms, particularly with regard to the rule of law, where the next milestone ahead is meeting the benchmarks under the rule of law and fundamental freedoms Chapters 23 and 24. To overcome the socio-economic crisis due to the pandemic, which has hit Montenegro particularly hard, the EU is ready to continue its support because, as Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi said, we care about our partners. 
(Applause)
Speaker: David McALLISTER (Germany — Christlich Demokratische Union Deutschlands)
Political group: Group of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats)
Date: 2021-04-28
Debate: EU-India relations (continuation of debate)

  David McAllister,  on behalf of the PPE Group. – Mr President, at the European Union, we share strong political, economic, social and cultural ties with India, the world’s largest democracy.
For this reason, the news we are hearing from India about the critical situation related to COVID—19 in the country is so shocking. The European Union, in close cooperation with Member States, as we just heard, is mobilising support and assistance through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism to help our trusted partner. It is crucial to quickly support India in these critical days.
I believe the full potential of our relations with India should finally be unleashed. It is about accelerating and strengthening the strategic partnership – a strategic partnership based on common values and principles, as well as on joint interests. With the roadmap to 2025, agreed on in July last year, there is a solid basis to do so; now it needs to be further implemented.
The EU–India leaders meeting on 8 May, as mentioned by the rapporteur and the Commissioner, will be a good occasion to take stock of the progress achieved so far and to intensify our future cooperation. Four areas will be key: global health issues, climate change and sustainable growth, technology, trade and investment, and foreign security and defence.
A final remark: India is an important partner for the EU when it comes to preserving and promoting the rules—based multilateral order. Therefore, let us improve our cooperation on geopolitical challenges, especially in the Pacific and in international organisations. The upcoming summit should create positive momentum and clear steps to deepen our strategic partnership. This is the expectation of the EPP.
Speaker: David McALLISTER (Germany — Christlich Demokratische Union Deutschlands)
Political group: Group of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats)
Date: 2021-03-09
Debate: The current political situation in Georgia (debate)

  David McAllister,  on behalf of the PPE Group. – Madam President, we are all following the political developments in Georgia with great concern. The political situation in the country has rapidly deteriorated. Therefore, I support the efforts of all facilitators to relaunch and strengthen dialogue between the Opposition and the Government. 
Georgia is indeed facing numerous challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, economic development, social cohesion and security. Therefore, political leaders need to overcome this political crisis quickly and to find long—term solutions together. The way forward should include an ambitious electoral reform, a rule of law and court reform, also addressing politicised justice, power sharing in parliament, including the setting up of the investigative commission and potentially new elections, and also the preparation for the local elections planned for autumn this year.
As the High Representative just mentioned, next week’s EU-Georgia Association Council in Brussels will hopefully state some progress that has been made in the dialogue. Let me wish the newly appointed envoy, Christian Danielsson, and also our EU Ambassador in Tbilisi, Carl Hartzell, and their teams all the best in overcoming the current political tensions in this great country.
Speaker: David McALLISTER (Germany — Christlich Demokratische Union Deutschlands)
Political group: Group of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats)
Date: 2021-02-09
Debate: The situation in Myanmar (debate)

  David McAllister (PPE).   – Madam President, as the European Parliament we have always followed developments in Myanmar very closely. 
In a number of resolutions throughout the last few years we have, for instance, strongly condemned all past and present human rights violations, especially against the Rohingya population. 
Since 2015, and previous speakers have underlined this, the European Union has politically and financially supported Myanmar’s process of democratic transition. We have undertaken enormous efforts to promote peace, human rights and development in this country. 
Unfortunately, all these positive developments have been abruptly reversed by the recent coup. This coup was a clear violation of Myanmar’s constitution, which we ought to all strongly condemn. I am deeply concerned by the detention of political leaders and civil society activists, including State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint. 
I call upon the military to immediately end the state of emergency. I call on the military to restore power to the democratically elected government. I call upon the military to respect human rights and the rule of law, and I call upon the military to release all those unjustly detained. 
The November election results, as well as the Constitution, must be respected, and the national parliament should be convened at the earliest opportunity. Power should be returned to democratically elected representatives and to a civilian government as soon as possible. 
For the European Union, all instruments should be on the table in order to react. As the European Parliament, we should send a strong message that we stand with the people of Myanmar who want to see a democratic future of their country. 
High Representative, thank you for your good words on this issue.
Speaker: David McALLISTER (Germany — Christlich Demokratische Union Deutschlands)
Political group: Group of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats)
Date: 2021-01-20
Debate: Inauguration of the new President of the United States and the current political situation (debate)

  David McAllister (PPE).   – Madam President, today the entire world is looking at Washington DC as Mr Joseph Biden is inaugurated as the 46th President of the United States. President Biden deserves all the best wishes for the enormous challenges that are lying ahead of him. Today’s inauguration certainly opens a new chapter for our American friends, but it also opens a new chapter in our transatlantic relations, which have been under such tremendous pressure since 2017. Strategic goals are important. They are crucial for our relations, to renew the trust that is at the heart of our alliance, to agree on a common strategy to address global challenges, and to adapt our political, military, technological and economic cooperation, so that we have the most effective alliance for protecting freedom, securing peace and supporting a rules-based order in an increasingly challenging world.
As Commission President Ursula von der Leyen pointed out this morning, there are certainly massive challenges we should tackle jointly, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the economic recovery, trade and digital technology, climate change and, of course, foreign policy and security issues. So let us give a fresh impetus to our transatlantic relations. Things can only get better, and I am convinced they will get better.
Speaker: David McALLISTER (Germany — Christlich Demokratische Union Deutschlands)
Political group: Group of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats)
Date: 2021-01-20
Debate: Presentation of the programme of activities of the Portuguese Presidency (continuation of debate)

  David McAllister (PPE).   – Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, dear colleagues, first of all, Prime Minister Costa, the Presidency of the Council under your leadership has begun during unprecedented times. As we heard this morning, important priorities are on your agenda, such as tackling the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuring Europe’s economic recovery. Colleagues, I welcome in particular the fact that Portugal has decided to focus strongly on external affairs in the upcoming months. As we discussed yesterday with the High Representative during the debate on our common foreign and security policy, strengthening multilateralism and affirming the European Union as a global player is today more important than ever, and our Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is leading a geopolitical Commission, and this for good reasons. 
Prime Minister, the proposals from the Portuguese Presidency to strengthen the EU’s relations with India, with the African continent, and indeed with Latin America, especially Mercosur, are a key step in promoting the role of the European Union on the global stage. The next months will also be decisive in establishing a fruitful cooperation with the United Kingdom and with the new administration in the United States. For all these priorities I wish her success. The Committee on Foreign Affairs is looking forward to working closely together with the Portuguese Government.
(Applause)
Speaker: David McALLISTER (Germany — Christlich Demokratische Union Deutschlands)
Political group: Group of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats)
Date: 2021-01-19
Debate: The arrest of Aleksei Navalny (debate)

  David McAllister,  on behalf of the PPE Group. – Madam President, dear colleagues, I am very concerned and strongly condemn the arrest of Mr Aleksei Navalny upon his return to Russia, just as I am very concerned and condemn the detention of several dozen of his supporters and journalists across the country. The arrest of Mr Navalny and its modalities clearly contravene international law and the Russian constitution. I urge the authorities in Moscow to release him and his supporters immediately. Their rights need to be fully and unconditionally respected and enforced. 
These latest developments further deteriorate the already strained relations between the European Union and Russia. The intimidation and political persecution of government critics in Russia must stop. Dear Josep Borrell, I am thankful for your strong and clear words immediately after the arrest of Mr Navalny, and again this afternoon. Indeed, the politicisation of the Russian judiciary is unacceptable. 
The poisoning and the arrest of Mr Navalny are just the latest of many arguments to reassess our relations with Russia. As the European Union, we should be very clear in our response and expand the so far introduced sanctions to individuals implicated in his arrest and those who gave orders to do so. As of December 2020, the EU has the instrument of a global human rights sanctions regime. We shouldn’t hesitate to use this tool when and where necessary.
Speaker: David McALLISTER (Germany — Christlich Demokratische Union Deutschlands)
Political group: Group of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats)
Date: 2020-12-18
Debate: Future Relations between the EU and the UK (debate)

  David McAllister,  on behalf of the PPE Group. – Madam President, as we have just heard, in less than two weeks the United Kingdom will leave the single market and the customs union and yet, until now, both sides have not been able to agree on our future partnership as of 1 January. The negotiations have indeed been intense and tough. They take place in an unprecedented environment and under extreme time pressure. The European Union has never negotiated an agreement with a third country of such scope, and only in nine months.
Let me first of all thank Vice—President Maroš Šefčovič and our chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, and their two teams, for their tireless work and the very good close and regular cooperation with the European Parliament, in particular during the recent weeks. The best solution for both sides would certainly be to reach a comprehensive agreement before the end of the year. This would provide clarity and this would provide predictability to citizens and businesses.
Yesterday, the Conference of Presidents emphasised that we, as the European Parliament, stand ready to organise an extraordinary plenary session towards the end of December, in case an agreement is finalised by midnight this Sunday. We stand ready to debate the outcome of the negotiations intensively as soon as possible, and we stand ready to thoroughly scrutinise the final text. But, one thing has to be very clear: this would be a unique scenario and cannot and will not serve as a precedent for future agreements.
There is a narrow path to an agreement, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday here in the plenary. Indeed, I welcome the substantial progress made on many issues. However, as we heard this morning, differences remain to be bridged, in particular on fisheries, and we all know this will be very challenging.
Since it is still not clear whether there will be an agreement in the end, we simply have to be prepared for all scenarios. The four targeted and time—limited contingency measures we will adopt today aim at limiting some of the most severe consequences in areas where no fall—back solutions exist. 
Disruption will happen with or without an agreement. This is the natural consequence of the British decision to leave the European Union and to no longer participate in our single market and customs union. I remain convinced that it is in our mutual interest to agree on a sustainable, a trustful and a balanced partnership with the United Kingdom, which is one of our closest partners and an ally.
Speaker: David McALLISTER (Germany — Christlich Demokratische Union Deutschlands)
Political group: Group of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats)
Date: 2020-12-16
Debate: Preparation of an EU Strategy on COVID-19 vaccination, including its external dimension (debate)

  David McAllister (PPE).   – Madam President, I remember in June, when we were discussing the external dimension of COVID-19 in this House for the first time, many colleagues emphasised this virus knows no borders, and we have heard similar statements today. And indeed, this is still valid today, and it is in particular valid for the EU’s strategy on the COVID-19 vaccination. This pandemic constitutes a challenge around the world. Consequently, it has to be tackled globally and by international cooperation. Most crucial is that we follow a systematic and coordinated global approach that focuses on international cooperation with like-minded partners to ensure universal and timely access to a vaccine and also focuses on solidarity with the most vulnerable countries to facilitate access to vaccines in a fair manner for all people across the world.
The COVID-19 pandemic is a wake-up call for the need for a strong and more united EU foreign security policy. It is high time for us as the European Union to promote more decisively our values and our interests worldwide. Our COVID-19 vaccination strategy will be an important component on the way to this goal.
Speaker: David McALLISTER (Germany — Christlich Demokratische Union Deutschlands)
Political group: Group of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats)
Date: 2020-11-25
Debate: Preparation of the European Council meeting of 10-11 December 2020 (debate)

  David McAllister (PPE).   – Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, intensive negotiations between the United Kingdom and the European Union have been taking place during the last weeks. We have heard this morning that both teams are working tirelessly, day and night, as well as over the weekends, to finally reach an agreement. 
In many fields indeed, texts have now been finalised. However, as the Commission President pointed out, the three major stumbling blocks related to the level playing field, to governance and fisheries remain, due to the British position. There are only 36 days left until the United Kingdom will have left the customs union and the single market, yet there is still no agreement and there’s still no text available. 
I want to point out that we cannot simply wait until the very last minute to agree on a text, since we as a Parliament have to scrutinise the final text, in the same way as we have been scrutinising the entire negotiation process. 
The United Kingdom will remain a close partner and ally of the European Union. For this reason we should use all our efforts to set the ground for fruitful cooperation beyond the end of the transition period. This will, colleagues, indeed require a certain degree of flexibility, creativity and pragmatism concerning our parliamentary procedures. 
But to be very clear, we as the European Parliament will have the last word. To give our consent we need to receive the text as soon as possible. Nobody should underestimate the risks that a late submission entails for the orderly start of our new EU—UK relations. Michel Barnier and his team are making the most of every opportunity to reach a deal in the interests of the European Union. On behalf of us all in the European Parliament, let me wish Michel Barnier good luck for the coming days, which certainly will be decisive.
(Applause)
Speaker: David McALLISTER (Germany — Christlich Demokratische Union Deutschlands)
Political group: Group of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats)
Date: 2020-11-24
Debate: Escalating tensions in Varosha following the illegal actions by Turkey and the urgent need for the resumption of talks (debate)

  David McAllister (PPE).   – Herr Präsident, sehr geehrte Damen und Herren! Leider müssen wir uns heute einmal mehr hier im Plenum mit dem aggressiven Verhalten der Türkei befassen. Um es gleich zu Beginn deutlich zu betonen: Das türkische Vorgehen in Varosia ist nicht akzeptabel. Als Europäisches Parlament stehen wir an der Seite Zyperns und verurteilen nachdrücklich diese weitere unnötige Provokation durch Herrn Erdoğan.
Für uns in der Europäischen Union sind der Maßstab für die Zukunft Zyperns die einschlägigen Resolutionen des Sicherheitsrates der Vereinten Nationen. Es darf eben keine Aktivitäten geben, die nicht im Einklang mit diesen Resolutionen stehen. 
Die türkischen Pläne für Varosia werden die Aussicht auf eine Lösung des Zypernkonflikts ernsthaft untergraben; darauf haben viele Vorrednerinnen und Vorredner hingewiesen. Sie sind – aus meiner Sicht – nach den illegalen Bohrungen in griechischen und zypriotischen Gewässern, dem bilateralen Abkommen mit Libyen sowie der Eskalation in Bergkarabach und in Syrien eine weitere destabilisierende türkische Aktion. 
Der Hohe Vertreter Josep Borrell verdient weiterhin unsere Unterstützung, sich um Deeskalation in der Region zu bemühen. Eine Lösung aller strittigen Fragen kann nur im Dialog aller Beteiligten und auf Grundlage des Völkerrechts erreicht werden. Damit solche Gespräche aber stattfinden können, muss die Türkei endlich von einseitigen Provokationen absehen. Ansonsten bleiben für die Europäische Union weitere Sanktionen natürlich eine Option.
Statt durch permanente Konfrontation sollten unsere Beziehungen zur Türkei durch Dialog und Kooperation geprägt sein, aber dazu muss sich die türkische Politik endlich wesentlich ändern.
Speaker: David McALLISTER (Germany — Christlich Demokratische Union Deutschlands)
Political group: Group of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats)
Date: 2020-10-07
Debate: The resumption of hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan in relation to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict (debate)

  David McAllister (PPE).   – Mr President, High Representative, ladies and gentlemen, as colleagues have previously mentioned, the renewed escalation of violence in and around Nagorno-Karabakh puts at risk the fragile stability in the whole South Caucasus region. Of all territorial disputes of the post-Soviet states, this one is the most dangerous. As the European Parliament has repeatedly stated – and to be very clear once again – there is no, and there cannot be, a military solution to this conflict. Instead, a political settlement is necessary, in accordance with international law: for example, the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter, the 1975 OSCE Helsinki Final Act, as well as the OSCE Minsk Group’s 2009 Basic Principles.
Therefore, we all call for an immediate halt to any military activity in the region. Both sides need to return to diplomatic dialogue without preconditions and in good faith. As many colleagues have already pointed out, third parties in the region should refrain from any action which can fuel the conflict and undermine the desire of the people from both countries for a peaceful future.