unimelb-nlp/MultiEup-v2 huggingface dataset:
Debate: The recent deterioration of the inhuman imprisonment conditions of Alexey Navalny and other political prisoners in Russia
Date: WEDNESDAY, 15 FEBRUARY 2023
Speaker: Janez Lenarčič
Language: EN

The Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny is one of hundreds of political prisoners in Russia, but his situation is unique and extremely concerning. From his prison cell, Mr Navalny courageously continues to speak out against the Russian authorities’ suppression of freedom of expression and independent media.  Since last February, Russia’s unjustified, unprovoked and illegal war of aggression against Ukraine has only amplified Russia’s internal repression and systematic crackdown on the Kremlin’s critics and the civil society as a whole.  Let me once again reiterate the European Union’s strongest possible condemnation of the poisoning of Mr Navalny. We have imposed sanctions on those involved in this assassination attempt. We have also imposed sanctions on those involved in his arbitrary arrest, in his prosecution and his sentencing. We will, together with our partners, continue to call on Russia for Navalny’s immediate and unconditional release because obviously his imprisonment is purely politically motivated.  Russia’s full—scale war of aggression against Ukraine accelerated repression on the domestic scene, both in terms of more restrictive legislation and increased number of human rights violations. It took President Putin just eight days following the start of the full—scale invasion on Ukraine to sign a law introducing stiff prison sentences up to 15 years for, I quote, ‘public dissemination of false information about Russian armed forces,’ end of quote.  Russian authorities have doubled down their efforts in cracking down on journalists, human rights defenders, activists and even random anti—war minded people, with the aim to silence any criticism of the aggression against Ukraine or telling the truth about the atrocities that the Russian army is committing there.  The European Union stands by and continues to support the Russian civil society, independent media, human rights defenders, political prisoners and all Russian citizens who, despite the deepening crackdown, continue to defend the human rights in Russia and oppose authoritarianism and war, and they do so at great personal risk.
Debate: Situation of the former President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili
Date: WEDNESDAY, 15 FEBRUARY 2023
Speaker: Miriam Lexmann
Political group: PPE
Country: Spain
Language: EN

Madam President, I welcome today’s support for the resolution concerning the health of Georgia's ex-president, Mikheil Saakashvili. Once again, the message of this House to the Georgian authorities is clear: allow Mikheil Saakashvili to undergo medical treatment abroad without delay, in accordance with Article 283 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Georgia. Also, let me thank colleagues for supporting our calls to sanction Bidzina Ivanishvili for his role in the deterioration of this political process in Georgia. The oligarch bears primary responsibility for the situation, and the EU should act accordingly.
Debate: Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence: EU accession
Date: WEDNESDAY, 15 FEBRUARY 2023
Speaker: Miriam Lexmann
Political group: PPE
Country: Spain
Language: SK

Vážená pani predsedajúca, akékoľvek násilie ostro odsudzujem. Je našou povinnosťou hľadať efektívne riešenia na násilie proti ženám, školiť napríklad políciu a tých, ktorí sú pre takéto ženy prvým kontaktom, a riadne implementovať našu legislatívu, ktorá je na Slovensku podľa odborníkov dobrá, avšak nie správne a dôsledne vykonávaná.  Tzv. Istanbulský dohovor a celá diskusia okolo neho však cieľu odstránenia násilia na ženách a domáceho násilia vôbec nepomáha. Dohovor nemá podporu medzi členskými štátmi a namiesto toho, aby sme sa rozprávali o rýchlej pomoci pre obete, riešime to, ako donútiť členské štáty dohovor urýchlene prijímať.  Treba však pripomenúť, že dôvod, prečo Slovenská republika tento dokument neratifikovala, je ideologizácia celej problematiky a hrubé zasahovanie do morálnych a kultúrno-etických sfér a legislatívy. S takýmto postupom, ktorý sa doslova vysmieva tým, ktorí násiliu denne čelia, absolútne nesúhlasím.
Debate: Developing an EU cycling strategy
Date: THURSDAY, 16 FEBRUARY 2023
Speaker: Dimitrios Papadimoulis
Country: France
Language: EL

Το πρώτο σημείο στην ημερήσια διάταξη είναι η δήλωση της Επιτροπής σχετικά με την ανάπτυξη στρατηγικής της ΕΕ για την ποδηλασία
Debate: Developing an EU cycling strategy
Date: THURSDAY, 16 FEBRUARY 2023
Speaker: Andrey Novakov
Political group: PPE
Country: France
Language: EN

Of course, there is nothing more conservative than taking care about your health and find the easiest, the cheapest and the smartest way to commute in the city. Of course, cycling has enormous benefits, not only those I just said, but protecting the environment, less pollution, less congestion on the road.  Saying that, there is nothing more conservative than taking care of an industry which represents one million jobs and has the potential to increase by two million jobs in the next 10 years. Moreover, it’s represented by 1 000 small and medium enterprises. Remind me if I’m forgetting something, but Europe is not leading in the world when it comes to many different industries. Here we have a chance to change that, to invest in infrastructure which will allow our producers to produce better models, new quality bikes, and to have a bigger market in Europe.  I think the next phase of the ‘Made in Europe’ initiative could be focused on bikes as well. There is plenty of European manufacturers who can compete with their colleagues in China, the US or other states.  However, we have a lot of issues to solve. Infrastructure is not developed the way it should be. And we all know the risk that coexisting of cyclists and cars in the same place hides. So, we should encourage not only the Member States, but the local authorities to invest specifically in cycling infrastructure which is going to allow safe place for all those who would like to ride bikes and without any interference with the traffic on the road.  I think that the intelligent transport systems shall seek to improve the recognition of cyclists on the road. Education campaigns should be launched, starting from the Commission. Guidelines of how the cyclists could coexist with the rest of the traffic on the streets. And mainly encourage all local authorities, using EU funds provided by the Regional Development Fund and Cohesion Fund, to invest in infrastructure which will allow all those who would like to ride bikes to do it in Europe with European bikes.
Debate: Developing an EU cycling strategy
Date: THURSDAY, 16 FEBRUARY 2023
Speaker: Petar Vitanov
Political group: S-D
Country: Spain
Language: BG

Колегата вече говори за икономическите ползи, за големия пазар, който може да се създаде, за допълнителните един милион нови устойчиви работни места, които да подобрят благосъстоянието на гражданите на Европейския съюз.  Но един аспект пропусна: достъпността.  В крайна сметка това е най-евтиният и най достъпен начин за придвижване и от него могат да се ползват дори и бедните. А това е изключително важно. И може би още нещо, прилежащата инфраструктура. На много места в Европа тя просто липсва. В моята държава има толкова много жертви на пътнотранспортни произшествия, включително и с велосипедисти. Тази стратегия един човешки живот да спаси, значи сме си свършили работата.
Debate: Developing an EU cycling strategy
Date: THURSDAY, 16 FEBRUARY 2023
Speaker: Valter Flego
Political group: Renew
Country: Sweden
Language: HR

Treba najprije prepoznati važnost i potencijal oko tisuću malih i srednjih poduzetnika  koji se bave proizvodnjom i razvojem bicikala i e-bicikala. Treba shvatiti sve dobrobiti i prednosti kretanja biciklom po velikim gradovima, kao i znati koliko turističkim regijama i državama znači grana turizma koja se zove cikloturizam.  Zato mislim da se, nažalost, premalo i važnosti i financiranja daje europskom biciklizmu, posebice ako govorimo o toliko važnoj i potrebnoj infrastrukturi. Jer bez infrastrukture u gradovima i bez biciklističke infrastrukture u turističkim regijama nema razvoja biciklizma. I to je jasno.  Zbog toga i strategija o kojoj danas pričamo trebamo odmah prijeći na konkretne projekte i aktivnosti, kao na primjer jačanje komponente biciklizma u revidiranoj TEN-T mreži, koja se upravo ovih dana radi, pa da se osim željezničke ili cestovne infrastrukture može promovirati i financirati i ciklo-, odnosno biciklistička infrastruktura.  Na taj način počele bi se konačno graditi sigurne biciklističke staze, a postojeći sjajni projekti, poput Parenzane u mojoj Istri, koja spaja Hrvatsku, Sloveniju i Italiju kao države, dakle svojom trasom, dodatno bi se unaprijedile. I tako bi na dobitku bili prije svega naši građani, ali i turisti kroz ulaganje u svoje zdravlje. To je ustvari jedan krasan primjer win-win projekta.
Debate: Developing an EU cycling strategy
Date: THURSDAY, 16 FEBRUARY 2023
Speaker: Karima Delli
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: Hungary
Language: FR

Alors, vous connaissez tous le Paris-Roubaix, ses pavés, comme vous connaissez également le Tour de France, le Tour des Flandres, le Tour de Lombardie, et j’en passe. Le cyclisme est un sport immensément populaire en Europe, mais c’est avant tout un mode de transport. Il faut rétablir les faits: un vélo électrique, par exemple, c’est le moyen de transport le plus fiable sur une distance de 1 à 10 kilomètres. Et c’est la fiabilité qui est importante pour arriver à l’heure à coup sûr, en évitant la congestion, tout en allant à des vitesses efficaces. Le vélo s’est aussi révélé être un moyen de transport indispensable pendant la COVID—19, au point qu’on a même parlé de «coronapistes», alors que les transports collectifs étaient à haut risque. Le vélo, c’est populaire, et les constructeurs ont aujourd’hui bien du mal à répondre à la demande de vélos. Et malgré tout, ils restent mal valorisés, malmenés par le pouvoir politique, malmenés par les pouvoirs publics, et ce malgré une demande croissante de la part des populations. Alors, ici – c’est historique –, au Parlement européen, nous avons la solution: nous voulons une stratégie européenne du vélo. Elle sera là et elle sera adoptée dans quelques heures. Elle a été fabriquée au sein de la commission que je préside, la commission des transports et du tourisme, elle a fait l’unanimité des groupes politiques, l’unanimité de cette commission qui voit loin. Oui, il est temps d’envoyer un message très clair: nous devons absolument doubler l’usage du vélo d’ici 2030. Et comment? En déployant des infrastructures sécurisées: il y a encore trop de risques pour aller au travail à vélo, pour déposer ses enfants à l’école ou pour les laisser y aller seuls eux-mêmes. Il faut augmenter l’intermodalité avec les transports en commun – notamment avec le train. Il faut des parkings sécurisés dans les gares, avec des bornes de recharge et plus de places de vélo dans les trains. Le vélo doit être abordable; les indemnités kilométriques, la TVA réduite sont des leviers. Le Fonds social pour le climat doit pouvoir aider ceux qui ne peuvent pas se déplacer ou payer un vélo. Enfin, je le dis haut et fort dans cette assemblée: il est temps d’avoir des vélos «made in Europe». C’est une volonté réelle, un enjeu industriel. Actuellement, l’écosystème du vélo représente 1 million d’emplois. Si on rentre dans une stratégie industrielle intelligente, ce sont, d’ici 2030, 2 millions d’emplois qui seront en jeu. Tout est à faire; nous serons donc ici au rendez-vous. Nous sommes prêts à travailler avec vous pour rendre au vélo la place qu’il le mérite. Donc, nous vous demandons de vite mettre en place cette déclaration interinstitutionnelle sur le vélo. Parce que le vélo, c’est bon pour l’emploi, c’est bon pour le climat, c’est bon pour la santé, mais c’est surtout bon pour le pouvoir d’achat.
Debate: Developing an EU cycling strategy
Date: THURSDAY, 16 FEBRUARY 2023
Speaker: Gianantonio Da Re
Political group: ID
Country: France
Language: IT

Vista l'importanza dell'industria della bicicletta, non solo dal punto di vista economico, ma anche occupazionale, l'Unione europea deve includerla in una politica industriale incentrata sulla produzione della bici e componenti "Made in Europe", al fine di supportare le nostre eccellenze e di incentivare la competitività tra le aziende europee. Sostenere il mondo del ciclismo significa supportare e incentivare l'economia, la storia e la cultura dell'Europa.
Debate: Developing an EU cycling strategy
Date: THURSDAY, 16 FEBRUARY 2023
Speaker: Dorien Rookmaker
Political group: ECR
Country: Netherlands
Language: NL

Het zou om te lachen zijn als het niet zo in strijd was met het subsidiariteitsbeginsel. Want dat stelt dat wat op lokaal niveau kan worden geregeld, ook op lokaal niveau moet worden geregeld. En dat kan ook. Zonder bemoeienis van de EU hebben we in Nederland een prachtige fietsinfrastructuur ontwikkeld. Dat kan overal in Europa. Er zijn fondsen genoeg. Als dit voorstel doorgang vindt, betekent dat dat bijvoorbeeld – gedwongen vanuit Brussel – lokaal fietspaden en fietsenstallingen moeten worden aangelegd en gebouwd en beveiligd, terwijl er eigenlijk behoefte is aan kinderopvang. Geld kan maar één keer worden uitgegeven. Het is een goed democratisch principe dat de eigen burgers in de eigen stad of gemeente beslissen waar het aan wordt besteed. Dat Brussel zich daar nou gewoon eens niet mee bemoeit.
Debate: Developing an EU cycling strategy
Date: THURSDAY, 16 FEBRUARY 2023
Speaker: Janez Lenarčič
Language: EN

As I stated in my introduction, the Commission acknowledges that cycling is important in the context of reaching the objectives of CO2 reduction and fuel savings, as highlighted already under the European Green Deal, sustainable and smart mobility strategy, ‘Fit for 55’ package and REPowerEU.  The new EU urban mobility framework already establishes an excellent basis to further develop cycling in the European Union and the recently launched expert group will build on this and will develop relevant recommendations.  It is very clear that cycling is and will become an even more important mobility mode in the future, offering a cheaper, cleaner and healthier means of transport.  It also represents an important industry for Europe, as was said by many, that we need to support in its growth. About 85 % of e-bikes, for example, sold in Europe are produced in Europe. However, there is an issue of supply chains because all the raw materials most mostly come from elsewhere, so the cycling industry faces similar challenges as the car industry in Europe. Anyway, the Commission looks forward to continuing the dialogue with you on how to better support cycling and active mobility.
Debate: Developing an EU cycling strategy
Date: THURSDAY, 16 FEBRUARY 2023
Speaker: Stefania Zambelli
Political group: ID
Country: Spain
Language: IT

Inoltre, una strategia europea in materia di biciletta potrebbe ulteriormente giovare al cicloturismo, una forma di turismo sempre più di moda e che porta nel nostro Paese, ogni anno, più di 8 milioni e mezzo di presenze turistiche.  Questa strategia, inoltre, potrebbe aiutare lo sviluppo infrastrutturale di nuove piste e percorsi, connettendo città e Paesi nel nostro continente. Ma una strategia ciclistica europea deve anche tenere conto della sicurezza sulle strade d'Europa. Penso alla recente scomparsa di Davide Rebellin, per cui ancora si attende giustizia. Garantire strade sicure e regole uniformi deve essere il primo passo di una seria politica in materia a livello europeo.
Debate: The further repressions against the people of Belarus, in particular the cases of Andrzej Poczobut and Ales Bialiatski
Date: THURSDAY, 16 FEBRUARY 2023
Speaker: Dimitrios Papadimoulis
Country: France
Language: EL

Το επόμενο σημείο στην ημερήσια διάταξη αφορά τη δήλωση της Επιτροπής σχετικά με την περαιτέρω καταστολή κατά του λαού της Λευκορωσίας, και ιδίως τις υποθέσεις των Andrzej Poczobut και Ales Bialiatski
Debate: The further repressions against the people of Belarus, in particular the cases of Andrzej Poczobut and Ales Bialiatski
Date: THURSDAY, 16 FEBRUARY 2023
Speaker: Janez Lenarčič
Language: EN

Unfortunately, the repression continues to intensify. There are now more than 1 450 political prisoners, a number that increases by the day. Recent legislation allows for depriving citizens living abroad of their citizenship. Trials in absentia have started against members of the Coordination Council.  Harsh and politically motivated verdicts have recently been pronounced, such as against Andrzej Poczobut, a journalist and deputy chairman of the Union of Poles in Belarus, who was sentenced on 8 February to eight years of imprisonment in a hard labour penal colony. Ales Bialiatski, founder of the organisation Viasna, in prison since 2020, is now on trial, and he risks between 9 and 12 years of prison. His verdict is expected soon. He has devoted his life to the promotion of democracy and human rights in Belarus, efforts that were recognised by the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize. As the High Representative Borrell recalled on that occasion, I quote, ‘The attribution of the Nobel Peace Prize to human rights defenders is a sign of hope and light amidst the darkness of internal repression in Russia and Belarus and Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine.’ End of quote. The European Union will continue to stand up for the respect of human rights in Belarus. In the international fora, the European Union has led three successful resolutions in the UN Human Rights Council to report on the situation in Belarus and establish a robust accountability mechanism under the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. We have raised the issue in a real format in the United Nations Security Council, in the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe and in the Council of Europe. We support, both politically and financially, the International Accountability Platform for Belarus that collects evidence of the crimes with a view to holding the perpetrators accountable.  The European Union has reacted firmly to the illegal actions of Lukashenko’s regime by imposing robust sanctions on Belarus, as a response to the violations of human rights and international norms and, as well, as a response to Belarus’s support to Russia’s war of aggression. At the same time, we have provided strong support to the people of Belarus, with over EUR 100 million earmarked for this purpose.  The attachment to freedom and democracy shown by the people of Belarus is a source of great inspiration for us. It is our duty to continue supporting them and their quest for rights, rule of law, free and fair elections and true independence.
Debate: The further repressions against the people of Belarus, in particular the cases of Andrzej Poczobut and Ales Bialiatski
Date: THURSDAY, 16 FEBRUARY 2023
Speaker: Sandra Kalniete
Political group: PPE
Country: Finland
Language: LV

Eiropas Parlaments ir atzinis Krieviju par valsti, kas sponsorē terorismu. Atbalstot Krievijas agresiju, faktiski arī Baltkrievija sponsorē terorismu. As we work to hold Putin and his henchmen accountable legally, politically, financially and morally for the atrocities it has committed, Lukashenko must be right up there with them. All financial and economic sanctions targeting Russia must also target Belarus. The political and diplomatic isolation of Russia must also extend to Belarus. All investigations and cases against Russia in international courts and tribunals must also address the role of Belarus. We cannot allow any loopholes, any grey zone, because there is no daylight between Putin and Lukashenko.
Debate: The further repressions against the people of Belarus, in particular the cases of Andrzej Poczobut and Ales Bialiatski
Date: THURSDAY, 16 FEBRUARY 2023
Speaker: Thijs Reuten
Political group: S-D
Country: France
Language: EN

Here are my concerns. One: I didn’t hear the word ‘Belarus’ in yesterday’s sanctions announcement, not even once. So let it be clear: Putin’s sidekick must be subject to the same crushing sanctions as Russia, like my colleague also said. Second point: the Hungarian Foreign Minister’s little Minsk trip this week was beyond outrageous. You simply do not discuss peace, whatever Orban thinks that means, with the illegitimate accessory to Putin’s terrorism. It is not hard: support democrats, not dictators. Free Ales.
Debate: The further repressions against the people of Belarus, in particular the cases of Andrzej Poczobut and Ales Bialiatski
Date: THURSDAY, 16 FEBRUARY 2023
Speaker: Petras Auštrevičius
Political group: Renew
Country: Lithuania
Language: EN

Lukashenko’s courts have set out to imprison the head of the Viasna Human Rights Centre and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Ales Bialiatski, and his deputy, Valiantsin Stefanovic, for 12 years each, and the journalist Andrzej Poczobut for eight years. Looks like ten years behind bars is Lukashenko’s standard answer to his opponents.  There are currently around 1 440 political prisoners in Belarus. Next week will mark 1 000 days that Belarusian Social Democratic leader Mikalai Statkevich has been held in prison under extremely difficult conditions. In the same week, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó visits Minsk. I wonder whether he will demand the release of political prisoners. Perhaps Minister Szijjártó could react to this question? I call on the EU and the Western coalition to put pressure on the dictator Lukashenko by united means and to avoid the mistakes of the past.
Debate: The further repressions against the people of Belarus, in particular the cases of Andrzej Poczobut and Ales Bialiatski
Date: THURSDAY, 16 FEBRUARY 2023
Speaker: Viola von Cramon-Taubadel
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: Ireland
Language: DE

Niemand ist überrascht, wenn Lukaschenko den russischen Truppen erlaubt, Belarus als Aufmarschgebiet gegen die Ukraine zu nutzen. Warum sollte er mit der Ukraine mehr Erbarmen haben als mit seinen eigenen Leuten? Seine Zivilbevölkerung in seinem eigenen Land terrorisiert und foltert er seit über 27 Jahren. Um seine Macht und sein Überleben zu sichern, hat Lukaschenko bereits alles an Russland abgetreten – die Armee, die Wirtschaft und die Unabhängigkeit des Landes. Das ist der Preis, den der Diktator für seinen eigenen Machterhalt zahlt. Aber die Menschen in Belarus können kaum unterschiedlicher sein als die Vertreter des Regimes – Ales Bjaljazki, Andrzej Poczobut, Maryja Kalesnikawa, Swetlana Alexijewitsch, Raman Bandarenka und viele Tausend weitere freiheitsliebende Belarussen boten dem Regime in friedlichen Straßenprotesten die Stirn. Sie sind die Vorkämpfer eines anderen Belarus, die die Saat für einen demokratischen Neustart gelegt haben. Jedes böse Imperium fällt irgendwann. Jeder Diktator erntet, was er selbst gesät hat. Lukaschenko und Putin sind da keine Ausnahme. Ihr eigenes Volk wird das Urteil fällen. Belarus und die Ukraine teilen eine düstere Geschichte. Aus diesem Grund streben beide nach einer strahlenden Zukunft, frei von Tyrannei und Gewalt.
Debate: The further repressions against the people of Belarus, in particular the cases of Andrzej Poczobut and Ales Bialiatski
Date: THURSDAY, 16 FEBRUARY 2023
Speaker: Anna Fotyga
Political group: ECR
Country: Denmark
Language: PL

Andrzej Poczobut, działacz o niebywałej osobowości, wybitny dziennikarz, chorujący ostatnio, został skazany, po 650 dniach w więzieniu, na ciężką kolonię o zaostrzonym rygorze. Aleś Białacki – laureat Pokojowej Nagrody Nobla, osoba, która jest dla nas wszystkich symbolem, również wśród wszystkich opozycjonistów, laureat Nagrody Sacharowa – w ostatnim słowie w swoim toczącym się procesie mówił o konieczności pojednania społeczeństwa.  Społeczeństwo Białorusi kocha pokój, wolność i demokrację. To nie czas na negocjacje z Łukaszenką. Trzeba wzmocnić sankcje.