unimelb-nlp/MultiEup-v2 huggingface dataset:
Debate: Situation in Lebanon
Date: TUESDAY, 14 SEPTEMBER 2021
Speaker: Nora Mebarek
Political group: S-D
Country: Germany
Language: FR

Madame la Présidente, Monsieur le Haut représentant, chers collègues, j’étais à Beyrouth la semaine dernière et chaque jour, le Liban s’effondre au risque de disparaître. La situation au Liban est d’une extrême urgence humanitaire, politique et démocratique. La misère grandissante, les menaces internationales, la corruption ont durablement affaibli le pays. La formation d’un nouveau gouvernement après de longs mois d’attente ne doit pas nous abuser, comme l’illustrent les manœuvres de sabotage de l’enquête sur les circonstances de l’explosion du port de Beyrouth. Si nous voulons répondre au désespoir des Libanais, nous devons être d’une exigence extrême, en étant durs avec ces mêmes dirigeants et bienveillants avec la population. Cette exigence doit s’exercer avec des sanctions individuelles sur les responsables corrompus, l’obligation d’un encadrement extérieur des futures élections et la mise en place d’une autorité internationale indépendante, qui veillera à la bonne utilisation des aides accordées au Liban. Nous ne laisserons pas tomber le peuple libanais. C’est ce que nous devons au Liban et à l’Union européenne.
Debate: Situation in Lebanon
Date: TUESDAY, 14 SEPTEMBER 2021
Speaker: Marisa Matias
Political group: The Left
Country: Austria
Language: PT

Senhora Presidente, Senhor Vice-Presidente, já foram identificadas muitas vezes as dificuldades internas que vive a sociedade libanesa, dificuldades internas que foram agravadas por uma crise económica muito forte, à qual a explosão do porto de Beirute não veio ajudar. Afetou, além do mais, o acesso a bens dos mais essenciais, uma vez que o porto de Beirute era a entrada de cerca de 70% das importações.  Assistimos também ao longo destes anos a muitas tentativas de ajuda que mais não foram do que criar dificuldades ao povo libanês. Vários pacotes de ajuda financeira carregados de austeridade, com reformas que impuseram austeridade e agravaram as dificuldades das pessoas que aí vivem. Assistimos também a um povo que soube receber com muita solidariedade refugiados palestinianos e sírios e assistimos agora às dificuldades com as quais vive as Nações Unidas, nomeadamente no que diz respeito à manutenção das condições mínimas para os refugiados palestinianos.  Precisamos, por isso, de continuar a apoiar a UNRWA e não deixar que esta perca os fundos e que deixe de apoiar aqueles que mais precisam e essa é uma responsabilidade que temos e que devemos cumprir.  Por último, uma palavra sobre as sanções. Já fiz esta pergunta várias vezes, mas quero repeti-la. Nós precisamos de garantir e proteger a capacidade do povo libanês de decidir o seu futuro sem nenhuma interferência externa e, nesse sentido, gostaria de perguntar, mais uma vez, critérios que não sejam discricionários porque, se as sanções são aplicadas, podemos estar mais uma vez a cumprir um papel de ingerência e a interferir diretamente naquilo que é a sociedade e a escolha dos libaneses.  Eu gostava muito de ter a garantia que não usamos ingerência nem nenhuma forma de intervenção.
Debate: Situation in Lebanon
Date: TUESDAY, 14 SEPTEMBER 2021
Speaker: György Hölvényi
Political group: PPE
Country: Latvia
Language: HU

A polgárháborút követően Libanonban a muszlimok és keresztények képesek voltak konfliktusaikat egymás között rendezni. Ma egy gyökeresen megváltozott helyzettel állunk szemben. Figyelembe kell vennünk, hogy Libanon a Közel-Kelet gazdasági és bank szektorának központja, így a mostani válság beláthatatlan következményekkel járó regionális krízissé szélesedhet. A jelenlegi bizonytalan politikai helyzetben nagy a veszélye, hogy a szélsőségek táptalajra lelnek. Ezt minden eszközzel meg kell akadályozni! Az EU-nak elemi érdeke és történelmi felelőssége a Libanon melletti kiállás. Az ország lakosai számára létkérdés, hogy az uniós támogatások a Madad Alap megszűnését követően is hatékonyan és célzottan érhessék el a rászoruló közösségeket. Ezt biztosítani kell a fejlesztéspolitikai támogatások tervezése során!
Debate: Situation in Lebanon
Date: TUESDAY, 14 SEPTEMBER 2021
Speaker: László Trócsányi
Political group: NI
Country: Latvia
Language: HU

Alig egy évvel a tavalyi bejrúti robbanás után az országot idén augusztusban újabb megrázó tragédia érte, ám az Akkarban felrobbant üzemanyagtartály immár a mélyülő válság egy borzalmas következménye. Az országban élő keresztény közösségek mellett is kötelességünk kiállni. A politikai alkudozások idejének vége, most a tetteknek kell következnie! Egyetértek abban, hogy a reformok nélkülözhetetlenek az ország hosszútávú fejlődéséhez, azonban a humanitárius segítségnyújtást nem lehet tovább halogatni. Az Európai Unió akkor tudna segíteni Libanonnak, ha közvetítői szerepében aktívabb lenne és nem szankciós mechanizmusokkal fenyegetne. Az EU akkor tud igazán déli szomszédjainak partnereként cselekedni, ha a megoldások megtalálásában nyújt segítséget. Sok sikert és kitartást kívánok Najib Mikati miniszterelnök úrnak és kormányának.
Debate: Direction of EU-Russia political relations
Date: TUESDAY, 14 SEPTEMBER 2021
Speaker: Dimitrios Papadimoulis
Country: France
Language: EL

Το επόμενο σημείο στην ημερήσια διάταξη είναι η έκθεση του Andrius Kubilius, εξ ονόματος της Επιτροπής Εξωτερικών Υποθέσεων, που αφορά την κατεύθυνση των πολιτικών σχέσεων ΕΕ-Ρωσίας (
Debate: Direction of EU-Russia political relations
Date: TUESDAY, 14 SEPTEMBER 2021
Speaker: Sandra Kalniete
Political group: PPE
Country: Finland
Language: EN

In the span from my own 2019 report on EU-Russia relations until the report by Mr Kubilius, the Kremlin has only added more dark episodes to an extensive track record. To make it perfectly clear, there is no reason for optimism regarding the direction of the current Russian regime and of EU-Russia relations. European leaders must not fall again into naive delusions about resets or dialogues with Putin’s regime, which clearly shows that its disregard for international law, human rights and peaceful conflict resolution is not the exception, but the rule.  And finally, it is time for Europe to invest in reinforcing our commitment to the Eastern Partnership countries, strengthen our own resilience to Russian hybrid warfare and continue engaging with Russian civil society.
Debate: Direction of EU-Russia political relations
Date: TUESDAY, 14 SEPTEMBER 2021
Speaker: Marek Belka
Political group: S-D
Country: Poland
Language: PL

Powiedzmy otwarcie, Rosja nigdy nie traktowała Unii poważnie, raczej jako postmodernistyczny kaprys historii. Stara się nas dzielić, aby tym łatwiej realizować swoją politykę. Musimy się temu przeciwstawić razem, broniąc polityki Unii Europejskiej w zakresie obronności, energetyki, cyberbezpieczeństwa oraz broniąc naszych wartości.  Jeżeli Rosja nie zrezygnuje z łamania prawa międzynarodowego, podminowywania naszej Unii, prześladowania mniejszości oraz sił demokratycznych w naszym najbliższym sąsiedztwie, musimy być gotowi sięgnąć po mocniejsze argumenty, takie jak wykluczenie Rosji z systemu rozliczeń Swift bądź zamrożenie europejskich aktywów osób związanych  z Kremlem. Zawsze będziemy stali po stronie Rosji demokratycznej, wobec Rosji autokratycznej nie możemy być słabi i podzieleni.
Debate: Direction of EU-Russia political relations
Date: TUESDAY, 14 SEPTEMBER 2021
Speaker: Bernard Guetta
Political group: Renew
Country: Austria
Language: FR

La première est la fermeté avec laquelle ce rapport condamne les agissements, les méfaits du régime Poutine, aussi bien à l’extérieur des frontières de la Fédération de Russie qu’à l’intérieur. La deuxième est la chaleur avec laquelle ce rapport tend la main de l’amitié et de l’espoir au peuple de la Fédération de Russie. Ce rapport a ajouté quelque chose de neuf à notre condamnation du régime Poutine. Ce rapport dit qu’au delà de ce régime, nous aspirons évidemment aux meilleures relations possibles et à la plus grande coopération imaginable avec un peuple qui partage le même continent que nous, la même culture et la même civilisation que nous. Ce deuxième point est évidemment le plus important des deux points du rapport Kubilius. Parce que le premier, mon Dieu, nous le savions tous. Cela n’est pas nouveau dans notre conception et dans notre vision de la situation. Mais dire, comme le fait ce rapport avec cette force, qu’au delà du moment présent, un jour nous rebâtirons ce continent ensemble: là, il y a une nouveauté. Et là, surtout, il y a la certitude que M. Poutine et son régime ne sont pas éternels.
Debate: Direction of EU-Russia political relations
Date: TUESDAY, 14 SEPTEMBER 2021
Speaker: Sergey Lagodinsky
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: France
Language: DE

Denn bisher gelingt es der Regierung im Kreml allzu gut, uns gegeneinander auszuspielen. Meine eigene Regierung in Berlin ist dafür das beste Beispiel: Die neueste Einigung mit den Amerikanern zu  Aber es geht auch anders. Und ja, es geht besser. Wir in Berlin müssen lernen, die deutschen außenpolitischen Interessen aus der europäischen Interessenlage abzuleiten. Wir müssen lernen, europäischer Politik-Treiber statt egoistischer Politik-Bremser zu sein: weniger Gasgeschäfte, mehr europäische Solidarität. Und diese Solidarität, die haben wir jetzt so nötig. Denn die anstehenden Dumawahlen zeigen doch deutlich, dass der Kreml endgültig mit der Demokratie gebrochen hat. Das ist uns nicht bloß ein Ärgernis. Das ist ein gemeinsames strategisches Risiko. Und diesem Risiko müssen wir unaufgeregt, aber selbstbewusst entgegentreten.
Debate: Direction of EU-Russia political relations
Date: TUESDAY, 14 SEPTEMBER 2021
Speaker: Jaak Madison
Political group: ID
Country: France
Language: EN

First of all, I agree with many, many things in this report. I agree that Russia is a security threat to the neighbourhood countries. It’s a threat to Ukraine and Georgia, as well as the Baltic States – I’m from Estonia, so I know this very well. However, there are many things with which I just do not agree.  Firstly, this report says that we should give more power to the European Union to conduct relations with Russia. That would mean that Mr Borrell, as the High Representative for Foreign Affairs, should talk directly with Russia and represent the 27 Member States. We saw this a few months ago and it was embarrassing. So I would prefer Mr Borrell to not speak with Russia over our heads, over the Estonian head.  Secondly, I would like to ask how we are to go about organising the regime change mentioned in the report? How? At the same time as we are letting Russia raise its influence over our energy policy through Nord Stream 2, where there are deals made between Germany and Russia, at the same time as the economical impact is rising because we are trying to solve problems with Fit for 55 and climate change, we are just trying to organise regime change. Now when we are weak, when we are not supporting our defence systems. We are not paying for our defence and we don’t want to have more sovereignty over our energy and climate policy. It’s a bit weird. So that’s why I have to abstain from tomorrow’s vote. I can’t vote against it, but I can’t support it either.
Debate: Direction of EU-Russia political relations
Date: TUESDAY, 14 SEPTEMBER 2021
Speaker: Anna Fotyga
Political group: ECR
Country: Denmark
Language: EN

The High Representative / Vice President is right in saying that it is extremely important to keep our unity in the relationship to Russia, to resolve unity and lack of naivety in the assessment of, in particular, new methods used by the very vicious regime in the relationship to all of us. Hybrid methods are a kind of novelty and in this respect we have to collaborate very closely with organisations like NATO in the assessment of all threats that come from the Kremlin regime.
Debate: Direction of EU-Russia political relations
Date: TUESDAY, 14 SEPTEMBER 2021
Speaker: Clare Daly
Political group: The Left
Country: France
Language: EN

This isn’t a serious, credible document. It’s actually a xenophobic rant. Much of the information is false, misleading and one-sided. We surround Russia with NATO bases and we call them the aggressor. We support opposition groups and we accuse them of foreign interference. The European project is not being undermined and divided by Russia, but by the rank hypocrisy that is characterised in this report, and the only beneficiaries of this nonsense are the arms industry made fat on the profits of its hysteria.  So would people ever calm down and cop on. We need to work diplomatically with our neighbours for a peaceful resolution of differences. Would you back off the Russia phobia. The last thing we need is a cold war turning into a hot one. We absolutely reject the report in its entirety.
Debate: Direction of EU-Russia political relations
Date: TUESDAY, 14 SEPTEMBER 2021
Speaker: Milan Uhrík
Political group: NI
Country: Austria
Language: SK

Vážený pán predsedajúci. Európske sankcie proti Ruskej federácii trvajú už sedem rokov. Chcem sa vás tu na rovinu všetkých spýtať. Čo tieto sankcie reálne vyriešili? K čomu reálne pomohli? Okrem toho, že poškodili európskym firmám, okrem toho, že viedli k zvýšeniu cien energií, tak nevyriešili absolútne nič. Vážený pán eurokomisár, ktorý tu nie je, vážení kolegovia, vážení predstavitelia vlád. Podľa môjho názoru je najvyšší čas povedať to jasne. Už toho protiruského besnenia stačilo. Už naozaj stačilo. Je čas vydať sa cestou dialógu s Ruskou federáciou. Jej čas prestať počúvať Američanov. Európa je náš kontinent. Európa má právo rozhodnúť sa. Európa má právo rozhodnúť sa pre dobré vzťahy s Ruskou federáciou. V mene Slovenska apelujem a vyzývam, vydajme sa, prosím, cestou mieru a spolupráce. Nie cestou konfrontácie a zvyšovania napätia.
Debate: Direction of EU-Russia political relations
Date: TUESDAY, 14 SEPTEMBER 2021
Speaker: Włodzimierz Cimoszewicz
Political group: S-D
Country: Ireland
Language: PL

Panie Przewodniczący! Od ponad 20 lat polityka wewnętrzna i zagraniczna Rosji stawała się coraz bardziej brutalna i oparta na użyciu siły, początkowo wobec własnych obywateli, jak w Czeczenii, stopniowo także wobec innych państw. Próby odpowiedzi na pytanie o przyczyny takiego zachowania wskazywały na to, że poza siłą zbrojną Rosja ma bardzo ograniczone środki oddziaływania na zagranicę, że pan Putin robi to dla zdyscyplinowania społeczeństwa rosyjskiego i dla wzmocnienia osobistej popularności lub poparcia jego partii.  Nie odrzucając tych interpretacji, chcę wskazać na inną, chyba najważniejszą przyczynę. Rosja odbudowuje tradycyjne imperium i dąży do odtworzenia w maksymalnym stopniu dawnego ZSRR. Tam, gdzie można przy niskim ryzyku użyć siły, robi to – jak w przypadku Krymu. Tam, gdzie może osiągnąć swój cel bez użycia siły, robi to np. przez uzależnienie gospodarcze i polityczne jak w przypadku Białorusi.  Rosja jest zainteresowana osłabieniem otoczenia i zahamowaniem lub zablokowaniem zbliżenia dawnych swoich terytoriów z Zachodem. Utrzymanie licznych zamrożonych konfliktów służy temu celowi. Agresja dezinformacyjna przeciwko nam ma osłabić Zachód, podobnie jak korumpowanie państw, partii i polityków. To, co było tylko możliwością, jest rzeczywistością. Jest to bardzo groźne działanie, długotrwale destabilizujące sytuację wokół Rosji, zwiększające ryzyko konfliktów, także zbrojnych. Zrozumienie tego faktu jest konieczne również po to, by nasze koncepcje stosunków z tym krajem były pozbawione naiwności.
Debate: Direction of EU-Russia political relations
Date: TUESDAY, 14 SEPTEMBER 2021
Speaker: Urmas Paet
Political group: Renew
Country: Italy
Language: EN

Mr President, when we speak about EU-Russia relations we cannot forget the conflicts and the Russian military presence in Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova. For example it has been now 13 years since the Russian invasion of Georgia, where the Russian occupation forces have engaged in an illegal military build-up and so-called borderisation; undertaken kidnappings and illegal detentions; continued closure of the occupation line.  The Russian Federation needs to cease its illegal actions directed against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia, but also Ukraine and Moldova, and implement international obligations and withdraw its military forces from the territory of these countries. It is up to the European Union to give a clear signal that our policy will not change until Russia starts to respect international law, and the territorial integrity of Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine is restored within their internationally recognised borders.
Debate: Direction of EU-Russia political relations
Date: TUESDAY, 14 SEPTEMBER 2021
Speaker: Markéta Gregorová
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: France
Language: EN

Mr President, ever since Mr Borrell’s unfortunate visit to Moscow, a clear, strong stance on EU’s relations with Russia and Mr Putin has been awaited. In today’s ever-changing security environment, the EU either needs to talk with a unified voice or to cross out the word ‘common’ from its foreign and security policy. Russia has increased its interference via disinformation campaigns that seek to undermine our society. Crimea and Georgia are still stripped of their territorial integrity. We see an abuse of surveillance tech, and we stay silent while Putin silences opposition, as in the case of Aleksei Navalny. Such acts go against EU values. If we want to uphold our values – let alone our security – it is essential to set out clear conditions for any future engagement with Moscow in trade, in sanctions, in human rights. I hope we can agree on this report today, as our credibility lies in our unity.
Debate: Direction of EU-Russia political relations
Date: TUESDAY, 14 SEPTEMBER 2021
Speaker: Anna Bonfrisco
Political group: ID
Country: Belgium
Language: IT

Signor Presidente, signor Alto rappresentante Borrell, onorevoli colleghi, questa proposta è un buon esempio di come possiamo costruire l'autonomia strategica aperta. Pertanto La invito a costruire ponti di diplomazia. L'Unione europea, l'Unione economica euroasiatica e l'Organizzazione per la cooperazione di Shanghai condividono una vasta area di sviluppo: l'Eurasia. E non dimentichiamo il Forum economico orientale, che connette l'Artico al Pacifico. Consapevoli di un tale interesse strategico per l'Europa, non ci stanchiamo di cercare il dialogo e di persuadere la Russia che promuovere la pace, la giustizia e i diritti fondamentali è la strada giusta ed è soprattutto la pietra su cui poggia da secoli la gloria russa: la cristianità.  Convincere la Russia che le sfide poste dalla Cina sono più pericolose rispetto a quelle poste dall'Occidente sarà la nostra linea di azione politica.
Debate: Direction of EU-Russia political relations
Date: TUESDAY, 14 SEPTEMBER 2021
Speaker: Witold Jan Waszczykowski
Political group: ECR
Country: Romania
Language: EN

Mr President, once again today, I would like to appeal for realism in our policy, not to be naive. Russia is not part of the solution, it’s in most cases part of the problem. The Russian Federation creates problems and plays the role of honest mediator, honest broker.  It’s also an illusion to think that we can change and democratise Russian society. This nation was built in the last three centuries, towards imperialistic direction and goals. One generation is not enough to reverse the process. We have to try, and I thank Mr Kubilius for trying. However, the more pending question is to slow down and stop Russian imperialists, to press Russia to cease its illegal action against Georgia and Ukraine, influence Russia to stop supporting Lukashenko’s hybrid action against our part of Europe.  It is not an appeal to solve the abovementioned problems together with Russia, it is to force Russia to stop harming these countries.
Debate: Direction of EU-Russia political relations
Date: TUESDAY, 14 SEPTEMBER 2021
Speaker: Antonio López-Istúriz White
Political group: PPE
Country: Estonia
Language: ES

Señor presidente, considero excelente este informe de mi amigo y compañero Andrius Kubilius.  Estamos, claramente, con el régimen de Putin, ante un régimen autoritario y represivo. Tenemos un vecino incómodo, que se comporta a la vez como socio comercial, competidor agresivo y, a menudo, como enemigo de la paz, la estabilidad y la unidad de nuestra Unión. Seguridad energética, refuerzo de nuestras capacidades de defensa y sanciones selectivas contra el entorno de Putin y sus colaboradores son clave. El Kremlin solo respeta a los fuertes.  En cuanto a las injerencias rusas y la guerra híbrida, el texto incluye numerosas referencias a las injerencias en asuntos domésticos, y los españoles no somos ajenos. Recientemente,  Seamos conscientes de que los enemigos de la democracia en Europa, en España —en este caso, Rusia—, buscan constantemente socios y aliados entre nosotros para destruir este proyecto europeo, y se apoyan en movimientos y partidos que quieren la división de nuestros Estados miembros.  Me gustaría, finalmente, expresar mi apoyo a la enmienda 31 del Grupo socialista y mi deseo de que en España el Gobierno socialista mantenga ese mismo sentido de Estado y defensa de la unidad.
Debate: Direction of EU-Russia political relations
Date: TUESDAY, 14 SEPTEMBER 2021
Speaker: Fabio Massimo Castaldo
Political group: NI
Country: France
Language: IT

Signor Presidente, signora Commissaria, onorevoli colleghi, c'è una crescente tensione tra quello che è la Russia di Putin di oggi, una Russia obbligata a politiche sempre più autoritarie per mantenere il controllo, e il paese reale che invece sembra sempre più pronto a voltare pagina. I giovani russi oggi osservano i loro coetanei nel resto d'Europa e non riescono a capacitarsi delle limitazioni a cui invece devono sottostare, delle repressioni verso la società civile, della mancanza di libertà di parola e dei media, della censura di Internet e, ancora, della crescente e dilagante corruzione. È a loro che dobbiamo parlare, perché il presente di oggi non è il futuro della Russia e, anche se a qualcuno piacerebbe pensare diversamente, non lo sarà mai. Onorevoli colleghi, anche lo scoglio più imponente è consumato dalle onde incessanti del mare. Il tempo e la Storia sono dalla nostra parte, i nostri valori di libertà, democrazia e rispetto dei diritti umani parlano per noi. Dobbiamo continuare a mettere in campo tutti gli strumenti disponibili per interfacciarci e per sostenere la società civile della Russia, con i giovani, con le donne e con gli uomini che sognano un futuro diverso, mostrando loro che c'è un'alternativa e deve esistere un'alternativa. Alienando la propria popolazione, togliendo la libertà a cui ogni essere umano anela, il regime di Putin ha già perso, solo che non se ne è ancora reso conto.
Debate: Direction of EU-Russia political relations
Date: TUESDAY, 14 SEPTEMBER 2021
Speaker: Tonino Picula
Political group: S-D
Country: France
Language: EN

Mr President, it’s nothing new if we say that our relations with Russia are at a very low point, in short: energy over-dependence, divergent policies of the Member States’, direct interference in political processes and Russia’s very active role in disinformation campaigns. So we need to increase the resilience of the EU and its partners in the Eastern Neighbourhood against Russian disinformation and interference; ensure that Russia is implementing the Minsk Agreement; engage with Russian civil society more strategically, despite the regime’s evermore determined efforts to undermine any such engagement; besides carefully used selective engagement on urgent global challenges to generate progress on the other objectives.  But we also must be realistic in our ambitions of democratising Russia as implied in this document. We should rather not keep falling into a political trap, further narrowing space for our political actions. Instead, we need a new, comprehensive, more strategic EU joint strategy towards Russia that will finally enable us for a more proactive approach.