unimelb-nlp/MultiEup-v2 huggingface dataset:
Debate: This is Europe - Debate with the Prime Minister of Bulgaria, Nikolay Denkov
Date: WEDNESDAY, 22 NOVEMBER 2023
Speaker: Andrey Kovatchev
Political group: PPE
Country: Poland
Language: BG

Добре дошли, уважаеми г-н Денков, уважаема г-жо Габриел! Много съм щастлив, че днес сте сред нас.  България има проевропейско, демократично, предвидимо правителство, на което Вие сте Премиер, основно благодарение и на държавническото поведение на партия ГЕРБ и на нейния председател г-н Борисов, благодарение на нашето желание България да излезе от капана на омразата и хаоса от последните три години. Особено днес, както Вие очертахте тази изключително тревожна ситуация по целия свят, е много важно всяка страна от Европейския съюз да има предвидимо, проевропейско и ефективно правителство.  За съжаление, със сериозната роля на Вашата партия се стигна до голямо забавяне в европейското финансиране за българската икономика, спиране на важните инфраструктурни проекти, което доведе до сериозни щети и пропуснати ползи за бизнеса и гражданите. Неясното геополитическо поведение в предишната Ваша коалиция с проруските сили се надявам да не се повтори в Общинския съвет в София. ГЕРБ отново Ви се притече на помощ на втория тур и Вие не загубихте столицата. За нас  демократична и европейска България е преди всичко, дори над партийните интереси.  Ние сме и ще продължим да бъдем гарант за това като основен стабилизиращ политически фактор в България. Надявам се също така общите ни усилия за демократична обществена среда, култура и образование да бъдат успешни и остатъците и пропагандните артефакти на тоталитарната диктатура да намерят своето място в музеите и учебниците. Надявам се, че и в миналото ще остане и подписването на меморандуми с приближени до руски олигарси фондове, както и тази странна защита на дерогацията за внос на суров руски нефт от рафинерията, близка до Кремъл, Лукойл, чрез която България пълни военния бюджет на Кремъл.  Искам да завърша с благодарност, особено към г-жа Габриел, за нейните усилия за преодоляване на пречките пред България за приемането ни в Шенгенското пространство, както и в подготовката ни за еврозоната. Също така да благодаря и за изключително добрата работа на г-жа Габриел за резултата, който получихме от членството ни в Съвета за правата на човека на ООН. Това е много добър сигнал за България.  Г-н Денков, г-жо Габриел и разбира се, г-жо Иванова, много окуражаващи са сигналите от последните няколко дни за разбирателство на проевропейските демократични сили в България. Днес гласуването в българския парламент е също такъв сигнал. Имаме много работа пред нас и съм убеден, че с общи усилия, г-н Денков, ще можем да постигнем още повече успехи за европейското развитие на България – уважаван и достоен член на Европейския съюз, един по-ефективен, по- обединен Европейски съюз, който работи за физическата, социалната и икономическата сигурност на своите граждани.
Debate: This is Europe - Debate with the Prime Minister of Bulgaria, Nikolay Denkov
Date: WEDNESDAY, 22 NOVEMBER 2023
Speaker: Stéphane Séjourné
Political group: Renew
Country: Slovakia
Language: FR

J’en profite notamment pour saluer l’esprit de responsabilité de votre parti, qui a également conduit à former une coalition malgré les différences, on l’a vu à l’instant, dans l’intérêt du pays, dans l’intérêt surtout de l’Europe. Il y a souvent eu, dans ces institutions, une forme de fatalisme quant à certaines difficultés de la Bulgarie au sein du Bloc en matière de lutte contre la corruption, en matière de lutte contre le réchauffement climatique ou d’unité du continent du point de vue international. Mais, il faut le dire, les réformes de votre gouvernement, de votre prédécesseur, ont estompé beaucoup de critiques. Aujourd’hui nous travaillons en commun, avec une vision commune, une vision européenne, celle de l’Europe verte, celle d’une Europe innovante, celle d’une Europe solidaire de l’Ukraine, celle d’une Europe souveraine, celle d’une Europe fondée sur l’état de droit. Et dans cette Europe de demain, la Bulgarie a sa place. Une place prépondérante, notamment dans la perspective de l’élargissement aux Balkans occidentaux. Vous savez que dans mon groupe, nous avons des députés qui sont très investis sur le sujet, mais nous avons aussi avec nous des responsables européens qui doivent jouer leur rôle. Et il est temps enfin, que la Bulgarie, avec son voisin roumain, entre dans l’espace Schengen. Nous ne pouvons pas décevoir les espoirs des Bulgares et j’en appelle également à mes collègues du PPE. Monsieur le député, vous le savez, pour ce qui est de Renew, nous avons fait notre part du chemin. Nous avons convaincu nos alliés de prendre cette décision de soutenir les Bulgares dans l’espace Schengen et il faudrait que le PPE puisse convaincre ses alliés également, et notamment je pense aux Autrichiens qui aujourd’hui mènent toujours cette opposition de principe. Monsieur le Premier ministre, avec Renew Europe, vous avez toujours ce chemin, vous aurez toujours un allié et nous vous soutiendrons dans ces efforts.
Debate: This is Europe - Debate with the Prime Minister of Bulgaria, Nikolay Denkov
Date: WEDNESDAY, 22 NOVEMBER 2023
Speaker: Philippe Lamberts
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: Sweden
Language: EN

And like you, and maybe you didn’t say it explicitly, but I really resent when some European politicians are comparing the European Union to the new Soviet Union or to a renewed Third Reich, where we would be submitted by force. We all chose freely to be part of that Union, and that remains a source of pride. And let no one believe that the European Union is a repetition of the past failures in Europe. The second thing I want to say is that I totally agree with you when you say that what is happening in Ukraine is basically the defence of the values on which the European Union has been built. This is our struggle, and I must say that yes, it entails efforts from the Members of the European Union to help Ukraine, but frankly speaking, they are putting their lives on the line. We are just putting part of our wealth to help them, and I think that’s the least we can do. The third thing where I agree with you is that yes, the European Union is a union freely chosen, but it has to be merit-based. And there again, when the merits are there, the decision should follow. Yes, Bulgaria and Romania must be part of Schengen. And for citizens this is probably, with the common currency, the most emblematic meaning of what it means to be part of the European Union. So full support for that. I will finish with the values you mentioned a lot, the conservative and liberal values. And then the green in me said, ‘hang on one second, yes, the conservatives and the liberals have brought a lot to Europe, but I think that there’s more to European political diversity and values diversity than just those two families’. I think that the left has brought these values of social justice, and that lies at the heart of the European Union. And I would finish with the thing that was most absent from your speech. Well, you know, if you and I and our kids and grandkids will live in the 21st century and beyond, well, it will be because we have been able to protect this planet as our common home. And indeed that lies as well at the heart of the values of the European Union, making sure that indeed, the planet on which we live will be welcoming us for generations to come.
Debate: This is Europe - Debate with the Prime Minister of Bulgaria, Nikolay Denkov
Date: WEDNESDAY, 22 NOVEMBER 2023
Speaker: Gunnar Beck
Political group: ID
Country: Germany
Language: EN

The European Commission knows this full well, as its EUR 400 million subsidy agreement with the Gas Corridor contains a secrecy clause, which prohibits any probe into the provenance of the gas. In other words, former Prime Minister Borisov was given a free licence to launder Russian gas in return for his loyal support for Mrs Merkel and her party throughout his years in the Council. Moreover, under the gas deal, Bulgargaz has to pay Turkey’s state owned gas company Botaş an annual service fee of EUR 2 billion. Northern European citizens are paying cohesion funds to Bulgaria, which Bulgaria then appears to be handing over to Erdoğan. EU policy, it seems, is riddled with hypocrisy. On Bulgarian accession to Schengen, I agree with the position taken by the Austrian and Dutch governments. We need to reform Schengen before we can talk about Schengen expansion. There’s also the regrettable issue of Bulgarian officials selling Schengen visas to illegal migrants. Of course, the main culprit here is Germany, which is creating pull factors for migrants to enter via southern Europe, and resisting credible rules for pushbacks and comprehensive repatriation of illegal migrants. We therefore call on the Bulgarian Government to help us in the fight for ambitious migration reform in the EU. Then I can’t imagine your application finally to join the Schengen system would pose too many problems.
Debate: This is Europe - Debate with the Prime Minister of Bulgaria, Nikolay Denkov
Date: WEDNESDAY, 22 NOVEMBER 2023
Speaker: Nikolaj Villumsen
Political group: The Left
Country: Germany
Language: EN

But when we look at the horrors unfolding in Gaza, and the response of the European Union, we have clearly failed. We stood united in condemning the brutal terror attack of Hamas. Good. We have stood united in a call for immediately releasing of all hostages. Good. But we have failed in protecting the innocent children and people of Gaza. They have died by the thousands. Those alive are struggling to survive. If they live, they will be traumatised. This is Europe. This Europe has for years failed to speak up against Israeli violations of international law; failed to speak out against the human-rights violations that Palestinians in the occupied territories daily suffer; failed to pressure for a sustainable two-state solution, where both Israelis and Palestinians can live in peace and prosperity, side by side. Dear colleagues, dear Prime Minister, Europe can do better. Let this Europe be a Europe of strong values. A Europe that speak out for international laws in all matter. A Europe that speak out against killing of civilians, whoever they are. A Europe that speak out for peace and prosperity, for both the people of Israel and Palestine.
Debate: This is Europe - Debate with the Prime Minister of Bulgaria, Nikolay Denkov
Date: WEDNESDAY, 22 NOVEMBER 2023
Speaker: Tatjana Ždanoka
Political group: NI
Country: Italy
Language: EN

Madam President, honourable Prime Minister Denkov and Ms Gabriel, yes, I want to start with also acknowledging what Philippe told. I was a little bit surprised when you spoke about conservatism and liberal values, not mentioning social values while President Metsola spoke about. But nevertheless, I have to remind that the Bulgarian Presidency, when it took place in the beginning of 2018, supported our proposed guidelines for employment policies in the Member States. I was a reporter at that time and thanks to that, the directive on minimum wage appeared. But our proposal was more ambitious. And what do you think about the proposal of minimum income for the EU? And I have to remind you that Bulgaria is the State at the bottom of the list of minimum wage. Smaller minimum wages than my country as well. Another question is about rights and about rights of minorities. You spoke about Vasil Levski mentioning Bulgarians, Jews and Turks as equals. But what happens now? What do you think about the rights of minorities, especially the rights to participate in election campaigns in their own language? We know the decision of the European Court where Bulgaria lost, and the same problem exists in my country, Latvia, as well. Abolishing education, abolishing rights to speak in pre-election campaigns in minority languages – it is not the Europe you mentioned as a Europe uniting. ‘United in diversity’ means not only unity of 27 Member States, but also of all languages of all cultures within European Union.
Debate: This is Europe - Debate with the Prime Minister of Bulgaria, Nikolay Denkov
Date: WEDNESDAY, 22 NOVEMBER 2023
Speaker: Paulo Rangel
Political group: PPE
Country: Germany
Language: EN

Madam President, dear Prime Minister, dear Commissioner Ivanova, I would like to say that Bulgaria is a country whose history is intertwined with Europe, and it is really in the origin of the DNA of Europe, from its ancient times to modern times. Your country gave us the alphabet of Saints Cyril and Methodius, and you are speaking, in a very clear way, the language of freedom after 1990. So it’s a pleasure – and it’s really something that completes the European project – to have Bulgaria in the European Union and also in NATO. And I also have to congratulate you and Mariya Gabriel for the return of political stability and responsible behaviour – a clear pro-European government. And I would like to say here that Mariya Gabriel – a very, very committed pro-European – is a very important actor of your executive. Then let me tell you that I understand the difficulties in the external landscape of a country that has its coast in the Black Sea – so close to the war – but at the same time, it is very important to call on you to step up your efforts to end fossil fuel dependence on Russia. Could you clarify how you plan to close this loophole on Russian oil? We are here as the European Union to support you, but we need also your efforts in this field. And let me tell you that we are also a bit worried with the European funds, because the instability of the last two years paralysed the development and the implementation of these European funds. So what is the plan for the next two years where you have a very, very tiny time? And only to say: we are totally with Bulgaria and with Romania on your Schengen accession. And we, as the EPP, we already condemn the EPP government that is blocking that. I hope that liberals with the Netherlands would do the same, especially after these elections.
Debate: This is Europe - Debate with the Prime Minister of Bulgaria, Nikolay Denkov
Date: WEDNESDAY, 22 NOVEMBER 2023
Speaker: Victor Negrescu
Political group: S-D
Country: Finland
Language: EN

Madam President, dear Prime Minister, dear Deputy Prime Minister, Romania and Bulgaria deserve to be accepted to the Schengen Area, and this needs to happen fully, and it needs to happen now. It is unacceptable for our two countries to be left out, even though we fulfil all the Schengen criteria, and we have efficiently protected the European borders for so many years. We live, dear Prime Minister, in a difficult region, but we have always defended European values and the cohesion of our Union. We did that during difficult times in the Western Balkans. We helped build a safe Black Sea region, while maintaining a good relationship with Turkey, Georgia and the countries in the Black Sea. We are proving it once more today with the support provided to Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova. Romania and Bulgaria are not second-rank Members, and people should stop looking at us this way. That is why I call upon the EU leaders to support our accession to Schengen all the way: by having a vote by the end of the year, in order to show that respecting the rules in the EU pays off.
Debate: This is Europe - Debate with the Prime Minister of Bulgaria, Nikolay Denkov
Date: WEDNESDAY, 22 NOVEMBER 2023
Speaker: Ilhan Kyuchyuk
Political group: Renew
Country: Netherlands
Language: BG

Г-жо Председател, г-н Министър-председател, колеги, много пъти съм участвал на такива дебати и всички са завършвали с едно и също заключение. Дебат за вътрешната политика на България. Нека да направим така, че този дебат да не бъде за вътрешната политика на България, а да бъде дебат за бъдещето на Европа, в който искам България да участва много активно и да използваме това проевропейско мнозинство за необходимите реформи, които са така належащи както в национален контекст, така и в европейски.  Ако има по един въпрос консенсус от години наред между Европейската комисия, евродепутатите, българския национален елит, това е темата за Шенген. До края на 2023 г., ако не се случи присъединяването на България и Румъния в Шенген, ние рискуваме много като Европейски съюз. Рискуваме да подкопаем устоите на всичко, което постигнахме през тези повече от 70 години. Защо? Защото българските и румънските граждани не могат да продължават да бъдат третирани по същия начин, както са третирани през последните години, защото те не са по-различни от германските, австрийските, холандските и други граждани. Защото българската икономика търпи огромни щети. И ако искаме да имаме Съюз, който се основава на силна икономика, която е конкурентноспособна, Съюз, който разчита на единния пазар, трябва България и Румъния да бъдат част от Шенген.  Още една тема, която ми се струва много важна. На мен ми се иска, г-н Министър-председател, България да бъде амбициозна с идеите си, с плановете, с предложенията си, които прави в европейските институции. Няма как да имаме ЕС, който иска да има силна външна политика, ако продължаваме да взимаме решения по този начин. Винаги ще бъде too little, too slow. 27 държави се събират, вземат решения и как го вземат, с месеци, с отлагане, с пазарлъци. Има редица инициативи, включително и на държави, които са от нашата черга, така да се каже, за промяна на начина на вземане на решения. Да се премине от единодушие към квалифицирано мнозинство. Знам какво ще ми отговорят тези националистически сили. Илхан Кючюк иска да прокара интересите на Западните Балкани. Никога това не е било тема. Темата за разширяване, политиката за разширяване не е била част от този дебат. Затова нека да бъдем амбициозни и отговорни пред бъдещето на ЕС, защото той е съюз на всички нас.
Debate: This is Europe - Debate with the Prime Minister of Bulgaria, Nikolay Denkov
Date: WEDNESDAY, 22 NOVEMBER 2023
Speaker: Reinhard Bütikofer
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: Italy
Language: EN

Madam President, Prime Minister, Commission, colleagues, I want to thank you, Prime Minister Denkov, for talking to us and with us. You dwelt quite extensively on historic issues and you spoke about the European spirit of Bulgaria that your national hero emphasised, and I’m sure all of us loved it. You quoted JFK, and I like that too. So let me ask you this question: what will Bulgaria do for the EU with regard to EU enlargement? You didn’t mention the name of your neighbouring country, North Macedonia, whose access so far has been blocked by Bulgaria. In vague terms only you seemed to question the real will of candidate countries. Can anybody question the real European will of North Macedonia, a country that even went as far as changing its name in order to open the door to Europe? After Mr Dzhambazki spewed hate against North Macedonia here, I would like to ask you, Prime Minister, to be more specific. What will you do to help open the door for North Macedonia? I believe Bulgaria must avoid hampering the accession process with overhyped national blockades.
Debate: This is Europe - Debate with the Prime Minister of Bulgaria, Nikolay Denkov
Date: WEDNESDAY, 22 NOVEMBER 2023
Speaker: Andrey Slabakov
Political group: ECR
Country: Spain
Language: BG

Г-жо Председател, академик Денков, г-жо Габриел, г-жо Комисар, аз мислех да говоря за култура и образование, обаче както вървят нещата, ще тръгна да говоря за Шенген, аз съм заместник-председател на комисията по култура и образование. Искам само да кажа на хората, които смятат, че България не трябва да влиза в Шенген, че всички нелегални мигрантски канали са финансирани от следните държави, ако те не го знаят: Австрия, Холандия, Франция и Германия. Това не са български канали за пренос на мигранти. Другото, което искам да кажа на колегата от Зелените е, че когато бият и убиват българи им забраняват да се самоопределят, не ми казвайте, че Джамбазки използва езика на омразата. Просто разберете какво се случва в Македония.  А сега по въпроса за образованието, което ме интересува изключително много. За съжаление в България бюджетът за култура е 0,4%, а този за образование е 4,1%. На мен това ми изглежда изключително малко. Тук преди известно време гласувахме в нашата комисия минималният бюджет за култура да бъде 2%. Значи ако вървим с тези темпове, България ще го достигне според мен след около 150 години. Предполагам, че Вие имате някакъв план за действие, защото според мен културата и образованието са нещо изключително важно и трябва да бъдат задължително приоритет.
Debate: This is Europe - Debate with the Prime Minister of Bulgaria, Nikolay Denkov
Date: WEDNESDAY, 22 NOVEMBER 2023
Speaker: Harald Vilimsky
Political group: ID
Country: Germany
Language: DE

Frau Präsidentin, meine sehr geehrten Damen und Herren! Im deutschen Sprachraum kennen wir das Sprichwort „Am Abend wird der Faule fleißig“, und genau das ist es, was mir einfällt, wenn ich mir die Beschlussfassungen der jüngeren Vergangenheit ansehe, das, was wir heute und in den vergangenen Tagen zu beschließen haben, und das, was Sie noch beschließen wollen. Bevor ich aber auf diese politischen Irrsinnigkeiten, Wahnsinnigkeiten, aus meiner Sicht völlig verfehlten Maßnahmen zu sprechen komme, auch noch ein Wort zu der Vergangenheit dieser  Es ging weiter mit der Ukraine/Russland-Auseinandersetzung, wo in elf oder zwölf Sanktionswellen sich die Europäische Union und dieses Haus und eine Mehrheit hier nur ins Knie geschossen hat und hier massive Teuerungen produziert hat, massive Inflation, Arbeitslosigkeit, Konkurse usw. produziert hat. Das ist der falsche Weg. Und jetzt, nachdem hier mit diesen zwei kapitalen Totalversagensmaßnahmen Bilanz gezogen werden muss, geht es weiter mit einer Irrsinnigkeit nach der nächsten. Einem Grünen Deal, der zwar nett klingt, aber in Wahrheit dazu führt, dass Europa seine Konkurrenzfähigkeit völlig verliert, dass wir mit der E-Mobilität, der Atomwirtschaft in Wahrheit ein Energie- und Geschäftsfeld aufbereiten, was politischer Irrsinn ist, wo Sie mit einer Mehrheit beschließen, dass Insekten unserem Essen beigemengt werden können. Man greift sich nur noch auf den Kopf, in welche Richtung diese Europäische Union unterwegs ist. Und wenn man hier als Frage stellt:
Debate: This is Europe - Debate with the Prime Minister of Bulgaria, Nikolay Denkov
Date: WEDNESDAY, 22 NOVEMBER 2023
Speaker: Clare Daly
Political group: The Left
Country: France
Language: EN

Madam President, Prime Minister, thanks for being here and for the meetings you had with us and your cabinet and your President on the recent rule of law monitoring visit to Bulgaria. Bulgaria, of course, is the oldest independent country in Europe – a magnificent place and people. But for all the hope that EU membership would help transform it, the truth is that it remains the poorest country in the EU, experiencing an 11% drop in population as young people left to find opportunities elsewhere. While scandal after scandal dogged previous administrations – ‘Barcelonagate’, ‘The Eight Dwarves’, the golden bars, massive corruption facilitated by the absolute power of the Prosecutor General and the close collaboration with former Prime Minister Boyko Borissov – your party came out of the movement of the people to change all that. And that movement has made changes. But many issues remain, and I think it’s really important that it’s put on record here that all of those cases of those in power accused of robbing the Bulgarian people will be investigated, those responsible held to account and that there will be no impunity. Lastly, I agree with you totally: Bulgaria should be in Schengen, but I do have a concern that the European Commission is demanding a price for that – that you act as Europe’s brutal military border guards, in violation of human rights. There have been multiple accounts of pushbacks. We have a black book on pushbacks here, which I’m going to give you as a present, which I hope you read to investigate the evidence in it and ensure the upholding of human rights.