unimelb-nlp/MultiEup-v2 huggingface dataset:
Debate: Report on Albania
Date: WEDNESDAY, 18 MAY 2022
Speaker: Thomas Waitz
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: Denmark
Language: EN

On another point, more or less the report reflects very much also the important points that we brought in, important points praising, on the one hand, the substantial reforms Albania has delivered. Albania has done all their homework. Yes, there is a lot of work to do still on media reform, on fighting against criminal activities in the country, on media freedom, clearly. But also on the question of plurality in the country, political plurality. Because what we see now is two parties which are not really reflecting two different political standpoints, but two different regions of the country fighting each other on a very rude way. So, plurality also in terms of party politics is something we have to see. Then we have the situation that Albania is coupled in their accession talks with North Macedonia. There are some good reasons to do that. But we have to be aware – and this is to the colleagues from the Bulgarian side – that advocating to keep up this veto in terms of having negotiations is blackmailing and not negotiations. Accession negotiations are negotiations, but you first need to accept your partner to negotiate with and you’re not just blackmailing your neighbouring country, but you’re blackmailing the security interests and the economic interests of the European Union and the whole region. This should be acknowledged. I think we should push all our governments to put pressure on Bulgaria to finally lift this deadlock so we can start accession talks as early as possible.
Debate: Report on Albania
Date: WEDNESDAY, 18 MAY 2022
Speaker: Anna Bonfrisco
Political group: ID
Country: Belgium
Language: IT

Come parlamentare europea italiana ribadisco il forte sostegno al cammino europeo dell'Albania, che è già tracciato e non può essere rallentato, e insieme a questo Parlamento riconosco lo sforzo di riforma e di convergenza dell'Albania per diventare una democrazia compiuta, pluralista e giusta, capace di rafforzare il proprio ruolo regionale, internazionale, all'interno della NATO e nell'allineamento alla politica estera e di sicurezza e di difesa europea, che nella reazione contro l'aggressione russa abbiamo potuto constatare. Lo Stato di diritto, uno dei valori fondamentali dell'Unione e
Debate: Report on Albania
Date: WEDNESDAY, 18 MAY 2022
Speaker: Ladislav Ilčić
Political group: ECR
Country: France
Language: HR

Poštovani predsjedavajući, poštovane dame i gospodo, Albanija se trudi ispuniti službene zahtjeve i u tome ima moju punu podršku.  Međutim, želim napomenuti jednu stvar koja je izrazito važna za sve zemlje kandidatkinje, a to je pojava da uz postojeće zahtjeve koje one moraju ispuniti neki europski lobiji svoje svjetonazorske ciljeve prezentiraju kao službene zahtjeve, a to je neprihvatljivo. Dat ću i jasan primjer. Legalizacija istospolnih brakova nije i ne može biti uvjet za ulazak u Europsku uniju.  Nedopustivo je da ti lobiji zloupotrebljavaju težak položaj zemalja kandidatkinja, da stvaraju mučne pritiske i na taj način usporavaju one reforme koje su stvarno potrebne. Pojedine države mogu imati na vas Albance pojedine zahtjeve. Primjerice, Hrvatska može od vas tražiti da riješite velik problem onečišćenja Jadranskog mora plastikom. No, nijedna zemlja ne smije tražiti od vas nešto što nije u ingerenciji Europske unije.  Zato vas pozivam da se odmah javite nama, zastupnicima u Europskom parlamentu, ako neki europski lobiji na vas stvaraju takav ilegalan pritisak jer mi želimo realan i pošten put Albanije prema članstvu u Europskoj uniji.
Debate: Report on Albania
Date: WEDNESDAY, 18 MAY 2022
Speaker: Fabio Massimo Castaldo
Political group: NI
Country: France
Language: EN

Mr President, the status in which we have relegated Albania is something we cannot afford anymore as the geopolitics of our neighbourhood is showing us once again, if there was still any doubt, how the enlargement perspective of the Western Balkans is more important than ever. I fully agree with High Representative Borrell when he says that this situation is not only harming the candidate countries but is also harming us, presenting tremendous costs in terms of credibility and political perspective. It gives to Russia and other players who want us weak and divided. Dear colleagues, Albania has made its homework. Albania has achieved concrete reforms and real progress, and is demonstrating its willingness to advance in its accession process. Now it’s our turn to deliver. There’s still a chance in the June Council to remedy this historical error. My plea to our Bulgarian friends is to lift their veto so that the Council can do finally the right thing. We have huge challenges coming in the near future. We are all aware of that, and I strongly believe that we can better face them if we overcome our divisions. Dear colleagues, the time is now. We can’t wait anymore because the rest of the world won’t wait for us. Albania is Europe. Europe must be together with Albania.
Debate: Report on Albania
Date: WEDNESDAY, 18 MAY 2022
Speaker: Željana Zovko
Political group: PPE
Language: EN

Mr President, I would like to congratulate the rapporteur, Ms Santos, for an excellent report, and also the shadow rapporteurs, to have this really good and comprehensive report on Albania.  We are going as the Foreign Affairs Committee next week, and I will have the pleasure that we convey the messages that we are having today here. But the one message that we should convey to the Western Balkans, to Albania and to all the other countries – North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro – is that they are not forgotten. They are not forgotten, they are there and we are there for them. We want them in the European Union.  The enlargement must continue without stopping. There is no other Union than the European Union. There is no other choice than European Union. There is no peace and security without the Western Balkans in the European Union.  As well, I repeat, as I repeated with North Macedonia, together with Moldova, together with Ukraine, we have to consider the European Union as a peace project. It is how it started, and on the way maybe it lost its sense, but now we are coming back to our roots. The European Union is a peace project. We have to bring the Western Balkans to the European Union. We will start with Albania, North Macedonia, and continue. This process will not end.
Debate: Report on Albania
Date: WEDNESDAY, 18 MAY 2022
Speaker: Evin Incir
Political group: S-D
Country: Hungary
Language: EN

Mr President, I also want to thank the rapporteur for this very comprehensive and important report. The EU enlargement process is a matter of the future of EU and trust in our Union. We must therefore ensure a clear pathway for those countries aiming to join our Union. When progress is made, appreciation must be shown. Albania is one of those countries that have shown most progress on their commitment to European integration and democratic transformation, and have clearly shown alignment with the EU foreign policy – not least when it comes to joint actions with the EU Member States after the horrific Russian invasion of Ukraine. It is time to advance on Albania’s accession process. One way of showing the country it is on the right path is by opening the accession negotiations with that country, and to schedule the first intergovernmental conference. With this said, the Albanian political parties must overcome political disputes to strengthen democracy and the economy further. Every stone must also be turned to fight organised crime and corruption. But it is clear that the Albanian Government and citizens see the European Union as their home.  It is therefore time for us to open up the doors!
Debate: Report on Albania
Date: WEDNESDAY, 18 MAY 2022
Speaker: Vlad-Marius Botoş
Political group: Renew
Country: Germany
Language: RO

Domnule președinte, domnule comisar, stimați colegi, trecerea spre o democrație reală, puternică este un proces lung și foarte dificil, iar odată create instituțiile democratice funcționale, este nevoie de hotărâre și efort să le menții.  Valorile democratice, drepturile omului, lipsa discriminării, libertatea cuvântului și toate celelalte valori pe care Uniunea Europeană le susține necesită atenție și eforturi permanente.  Pașii făcuți de Albania pentru a se apropia de valorile noastre sunt mari. Procesul a fost unul de lungă durată și anevoios, după decenii de dictatură, după zeci de ani în care societatea civilă, cetățenii, fie ei politicieni sau magistrați sau alte profesii au fost obișnuiți cu un alt mod de viață.  Eforturile Albaniei arată clar dorința de a merge mai departe, de a se alătura Uniunii Europene și chiar dacă mai sunt progrese de făcut, trebuie să acordăm această șansă unui popor care face demersuri susținute de aproape zece ani. Cred că Albania trebuie să treacă la pasul următor, iar Uniunea Europeană trebuie să susțină acest demers.
Debate: Report on Albania
Date: WEDNESDAY, 18 MAY 2022
Speaker: Ciarán Cuffe
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: Ireland
Language: EN

Mr President, colleagues, Commissioner, the war in Ukraine is a stark reminder that peace is a fragile thing. In the 1990s, the Western Balkans provided us with this grim reminder. We must never forget that only through cooperation and dialogue do we overcome hatred, competition and violence between nations. The European Union is a forum for Member States to reach compromise through words, not arms. By invading Ukraine, Russia challenges these core values. The Western Balkans aspire to join the EU because they share these values, but the spectre of war still hangs over the region. By continuing to stall on the aspiration of EU membership of Balkan states, the EU and Member States are threatening a fragile peace, breaking promises and presenting themselves as unreliable partners. I recently visited Albania, as you can see, and saw first—hand the growing disillusionment with the EU integration process. Albania has made great strides. So we need an immediate start to accession negotiations. If we stall further, not only do we fail to live up to our responsibility, but we risk strengthening the hands of those who undermine the values at the heart of the European Union.
Debate: Report on Albania
Date: WEDNESDAY, 18 MAY 2022
Speaker: Eugen Tomac
Political group: PPE
Country: France
Language: RO

Domnule președinte, domnule comisar, am vizitat de foarte multe ori Albania și evident că progresele se observă de la un an la altul. Însă nu trebuie să sancționăm o națiune europeană, cu vocație europeană, care aspiră să ajungă în Uniunea Europeană, doar pentru că administrația uneori nu își face temele.  Tocmai de aceea cred că este esențial să punem accent, în negocierile cu Tirana, pe valorile pe care este clădită Uniunea Europeană, pentru că democrația, libertatea de exprimare, drepturile omului nu sunt valori pe care să le negociem cu cineva, cu atât mai mult cu un stat care își dorește să devină membru al Uniunii Europene.  Evident că este o țară cu foarte multe frământări, cu foarte multe dificultăți interne în a înțelege și a implementa o serie de reforme, dar asistența noastră este esențială, pentru că este în interesul strategic al Uniunii Europene ca Albania cât mai rapid să devină membru al UE.
Debate: Report on Albania
Date: WEDNESDAY, 18 MAY 2022
Speaker: Juozas Olekas
Political group: S-D
Country: Spain
Language: LT

Gerbiamas Pirmininke, pirmiausia aš noriu padėkoti savo kolegei Isabelai Santos už tikrai puikiai parengtą pranešimą, taip pat šešėliniams pranešėjams. Man atrodo, kad faktai yra labai aiškūs. Albanija atitinka iškeltus reikalavimus, kurie buvo paskelbti pirmajame susitikime, ji juos įvykdžiusi. Dabar kamuolys yra mūsų pusėje. Mes turime žiūrėti, kad per ilgai užsitęsęs sprendimas nesukeltų nusivylimo. Kaip gydytojas galiu pasakyti, kad kiekvieną veiksmą reikia atlikti laiku. Ir tas laikas yra pradėti derybas dėl stojimo su Albanija. Mes matome, kaip mūsų tam tikras vėlavimas rytų flange leidžia vienam agresoriui pradėti vieną po kito karo veiksmus. Tai šiuo atveju mes tikrai neturime nuvilti Albanijos žmonių. Neturime padaryti vakuumo Vakarų Balkanų regione. Todėl jau birželio mėnesį, aš manau, kad būtinai turime duoti signalą Tarybai, tvirtą Europos Parlamento signalą, kad derybos būtų pradėtos.
Debate: Report on Albania
Date: WEDNESDAY, 18 MAY 2022
Speaker: Didier Reynders
Language: EN

The future of the entire region lies in the European Union and it is in our strategic interest to bring it closer to the European Union. We look forward to adopting the negotiating framework and holding the first intergovernmental conference with Albania as soon as possible. So thanks again for your support. We will try to move forward.
Debate: Report on Albania
Date: WEDNESDAY, 18 MAY 2022
Speaker: Isabel Santos
Country: Hungary
Language: PT

A Albânia, como já aqui foi dito, é um país que tem atravessado muitas dificuldades. Atravessou um terramoto, atravessou a COVID, como todos nós, mas, apesar de tudo isso, não abrandou no caminho das reformas da adesão.  Há uma coisa que é claríssima para todos os albaneses: a sua pertença ao espaço da União Europeia e o seu desejo de pertencer a este espaço de paz, de democracia e de progresso. Não lhes podemos negar esse direito porque a Albânia já conquistou esse direito.  Por isso, Senhor Comissário, reafirmo-lhe aqui, agora, depois de ouvir todos os meus colegas, ainda com mais autoridade, o apoio desta Câmara àquilo que tem sido o trabalho realizado pela Comissão no sentido de que se prossiga com o processo de adesão. E lanço aqui o desafio às cadeiras, infelizmente deixadas vazias pelo Conselho, para que o Conselho responda favoravelmente ao repto que lhe está aqui a ser lançado.  Quero aqui lembrar que, depois de todo este tempo, falaram aqui deputados dos diversos grupos parlamentares e de diferentes países e todos disseram unanimemente: a Albânia tem todas as condições para que este processo prossiga definitivamente.
Debate: Report on Albania
Date: WEDNESDAY, 18 MAY 2022
Speaker: Tomasz Piotr Poręba
Political group: ECR
Country: Germany
Language: PL

W marcu 2020 r. została podjęta decyzja o rozpoczęciu negocjacji akcesyjnych i w lipcu 2020 r. projekt ram negocjacyjnych został przedstawiony państwom członkowskim. Jednak ze względu na odmowę przyjęcia przez Bułgarię ram negocjacyjnych w sprawie Macedonii Północnej został zawieszony, ponieważ decyzje dotyczące procesu akcesyjnego obu krajów są ze sobą powiązane.  Chciałbym podkreślić – i o tym też jest mowa w sprawozdaniu – że powinniśmy jako posłowie do Parlamentu Europejskiego wspierać wysiłki Albanii na rzecz dołączenia do wspólnoty państw UE. Oczywiście kolejne reformy są konieczne i potrzebne, natomiast nie widzę powodu do dalszego przekładania rozpoczęcia negocjacji, ponieważ podstawowe warunki zostały spełnione.  Nadmienię, że, moim zdaniem, rozpoczęcie negocjacji z Albanią będzie dodatkowym bodźcem dla tego kraju do przeprowadzenia dalszych niezbędnych reform. Liczę na dalsze reformy Albanii szczególnie w obszarze eliminacji korupcji i działalności przestępczej ze wszystkich dziedzin życia publicznego, w tym publicznych procedur przetargowych i finansowania partii politycznych.
Debate: Prosecution of the opposition and the detention of trade union leaders in Belarus
Date: WEDNESDAY, 18 MAY 2022
Speaker: Michal Šimečka
Country: Italy
Language: SK

Ďalším bodom programu je vyhlásenie Komisie o stíhaní opozície a zadržiavaní vedúcich odborových zväzov v Bielorusku ( Ako prvý v rozprave vystúpi práve za Európsku komisiu pán komisár Didier Reynders.
Debate: Prosecution of the opposition and the detention of trade union leaders in Belarus
Date: WEDNESDAY, 18 MAY 2022
Speaker: Didier Reynders
Language: EN

Today there are almost 1 200 political prisoners throughout the country, on top of the many thousands who have been detained over the last 18 months for exercising their democratic rights. The brave leaders and activists of the democratic opposition in Belarus are also under sustained attack. Many, like Viktar Babaryka and Maryia Kalesnikava, are already in prison on politically motivated charges. Just this month, Sofia Sapega, the girlfriend of blogger Roman Protasevich, who were both detained after the Belarussian authorities forced their flight to land in Minsk in May last year, was sentenced to six years in prison. Opposition leaders forced into exile, including Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Pavel Latushko, and countless others, are facing very serious criminal charges in their absence. The recent assaults on trade union leaders is another illustration of Lukashenko’s systematic effort to silence all remaining independent voices in the country. The European Union has stood by the people of Belarus from the very beginning of their legitimate struggle for democratic freedom. Since August 2020, the European Union has committed about EUR 65 million in direct support to the people of Belarus. Among the beneficiaries are victims of repression, civil society, independent media,  Civil society actors on the front line have received emergency assistance to resist the regime’s repressive actions. The European Union’s support has been essential to ensure their safety, maintain their financial and organisational stability in the context of forced liquidation or relocation, and preserve firm grounding in the country. Independent media inside and outside of Belarus are exposed to growing threats. Thanks to our financial support, independent journalists and social media influencers continue to tell the truth and reach their audiences in Belarus. Belarussian students who were forced to leave the country or unable to continue their studies in Belarus are now benefiting from the opportunity to study in the European Union. Work on the next assistance package is ongoing to provide further support to civil society,  In parallel, we have also suspended all of our engagement with the central authorities, including at the technical or expert level. This, combined with our robust sanctions regime, isolates the Belarusian authorities and shows that they cannot act with impunity. This is important, especially following the support of Lukashenko’s regime for the Russian war against Ukraine. Finally, we have been supporting the International Accountability Platform for Belarus, which has been gathering and preserving evidence of human rights violations committed in Belarus. Let me assure you, we will not forget the victims of Lukashenko’s regime. Thank you very much for your support and for your attention. I will, of course, follow your debate and try to understand what more can be done on the basis of your observations.
Debate: Prosecution of the opposition and the detention of trade union leaders in Belarus
Date: WEDNESDAY, 18 MAY 2022
Speaker: Sandra Kalniete
Political group: PPE
Country: Finland
Language: EN

Furthermore, Lukashenko is also fully responsible for the continued brutal and systematic crackdown against his own people. As the Commissioner just said, there are 1 200 political prisoners, and 40 000 people were detained since 2020. The recent systematic persecution of trade unionists shows that Lukashenko is willing to do whatever it takes to suppress the remaining organised voices of dissent and supporters of a democratic Belarus. Turning to the future, it should be abundantly clear that we cannot treat the Lukashenko regime any differently from Putin’s. We must understand Belarus has now become Putin’s pawn in his efforts to target the EU, whether as a gateway for artificial mass migration, disinformation, energy manipulation, cyberattacks or illegal smuggling. Lukashenko is famous for being as slippery as an eel. We must make sure he does not escape full responsibility this time.
Debate: Prosecution of the opposition and the detention of trade union leaders in Belarus
Date: WEDNESDAY, 18 MAY 2022
Speaker: Juozas Olekas
Political group: S-D
Country: Spain
Language: EN

The European Union should show its solidarity with the detained trade union leaders and request their immediate release. And we should continue our support or maybe strengthening of the Belarus opposition force inside and outside the country. You mentioned this, Commissioner. Lukashenko should not fool himself that such illegitimate action, the total harassment of the Belarus society, will sooner or later lead to a hard landing and the fall of his regime.
Debate: Prosecution of the opposition and the detention of trade union leaders in Belarus
Date: WEDNESDAY, 18 MAY 2022
Speaker: Petras Auštrevičius
Political group: Renew
Country: Lithuania
Language: EN

Having crushed and imprisoned the political opposition, Lukashenko has now set his sights on the independent trade unions that defy him. The political persecution and imprisonment of trade union activists is completely unacceptable, and requires our strong response. It is clear that Lukashenko can only be stopped by sanctions and the further isolation of the Belarusian regime. Let us not make the mistakes of the past, when it was thought that dialogue with him would reconcile the democratic choice. Lukashenko is just a vassal of Putin and will not become anything else. His attempt to balance himself and to seek contact with the outside world is merely an attempt to survive. Colleagues, while being critical about Belarus regime, I strongly believe in the European future of the Belarusian people. And very finally, let us not forget the nuclear power plant in Astravyets on the EU border, which threatens the whole of Europe.
Debate: Prosecution of the opposition and the detention of trade union leaders in Belarus
Date: WEDNESDAY, 18 MAY 2022
Speaker: Viola Von Cramon-Taubadel
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: Ireland
Language: EN

The missiles on Lviv, Kyiv and Vinnytsia were fired from Belarus. Russian troops entered Bucha and Irpin from Belarus, from Gomel. When the Russians started to retreat from Kyiv, they used places in Belarus to send the looted goods. Russians did all this because the Belarusian dictator, Aleksander Lukashenko, allowed them to do so. Before he became an accomplice to atrocities in Ukraine, Lukashenko spent 27 years torturing his own people. In 2020 we saw the awakening of the free Belarusian spirit. Hundreds of thousands marched in the streets with flowers and white and red flags. They were brutally crushed by Lukashenko’s militias. Just because we do not hear the voices of victims does not mean that the violence has stopped. On the contrary, the number of political prisoners in Belarus has reached more than 1 200. Among them are the trade union leaders and many other innocent representatives who were arrested last April. Their crime was the resistance of the violent regime and their demand for fundamental freedoms. As the sanctions are starting to become effective, and the income of Lukashenko’s regime is drying up, the fall of the regime is inevitable. Our decisive actions now should speed up this fall. Lukashenko belongs in the International Criminal Court, right next to Mr Putin.
Debate: Prosecution of the opposition and the detention of trade union leaders in Belarus
Date: WEDNESDAY, 18 MAY 2022
Speaker: Thierry Mariani
Political group: ID
Country: Croatia
Language: FR

Donc, je veux bien qu’on rajoute des sanctions aux sanctions. J’ai l’impression que ce Parlement est ivre de sanctions. Mais si on ajoute des sanctions, la question qu’il faut se poser, c’est quel est leur effet? Est-ce que c’est simplement de nous faire plaisir dans cet hémicycle? Alors je dis que, bien sûr, la situation au Bélarus doit évoluer. Mais si elle évolue, je pense, contrairement à certains, que ce sera en rétablissant le dialogue plutôt qu’en rajoutant des sanctions aux sanctions. Résultat de ces sanctions aujourd’hui: les pays que j’ai cités gagnent plus, nos agriculteurs voient les prix des engrais exploser et les consommateurs voient le prix d’une partie des produits agricoles exploser.