unimelb-nlp/MultiEup-v2 huggingface dataset:
Debate: Pandora Papers: implications on the efforts to combat money laundering, tax evasion and avoidance
Date: WEDNESDAY, 6 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Eero Heinäluoma
Political group: S-D
Country: Sweden
Language: FI

Arvoisa puhemies, uudet tutkivien toimittajien paljastukset, nämä Pandoran paperit, avaavat eteemme käsittämättömän salailun varjomaailman. On syytä kiittää toimittajia ja vapaata lehdistöä – jälleen kerran. Mitä nyt pitää tehdä? Yritysomistusten avoimuutta on lisättävä. Monimutkaisten yritysrakenteiden todelliset edunsaajat on tehtävä julkiseksi. Veroparatiisimaiden mustien listojen käytäntöjä on tiukennettava. Rahanpesun vastainen lainsäädäntö on uudistettava. Kansainvälisten yritysten verokäytäntöjä on yhdenmukaistettava. On saatava sopimus yritysten minimiverotuksen tasosta. Kaikissa näissä asioissa ratkaisun avaimet ovat tällä parlamentilla ja neuvostolla. Vain tiukka eurooppalainen lainsäädäntö voi varmistaa, että nopeasti liikkuvan rahan maailmassa noudatetaan edes jonkinlaisia yhtäläisiä reiluja pelisääntöjä.
Debate: Pandora Papers: implications on the efforts to combat money laundering, tax evasion and avoidance
Date: WEDNESDAY, 6 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Damien Carême
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: Italy
Language: FR

Madame la Présidente, encore et encore, les scandales fiscaux se répètent et la France et l’Europe ne font rien pour stopper réellement cette criminalité financière. Là, je suis en colère, parce qu’on nous prend pour des idiots. À longueur de journée, à longueur de médias, à longueur de politiciens véreux, on nous répète que le danger, ce sont les migrants et que le risque pour nos sociétés, c’est la vague migratoire. On donne des milliards à Frontex, on pose des barbelés et on installe des barrières flottantes qui, en plus d’être ignobles, sont absurdes. On détourne notre attention et on fait croire que nous sommes menacés, mais le vrai danger pour nos démocraties et nos sociétés, il est là, sous nos yeux: c’est l’injustice; c’est l’impunité; ce sont les privilèges des puissants quand les plus faibles trinquent; ce sont des milliards d’euros qui échappent à toute règle, quand on coupe partout ailleurs l’argent de la solidarité, l’argent des retraites, l’argent des services publics partout en Europe; c’est cette insupportable complaisance complice criminelle; c’est elle qui menace et tue nos démocraties. On connaît parfaitement l’ampleur du fléau de l’évasion fiscale. On connaît parfaitement aussi les solutions pour y mettre un terme. Cessez donc de jouer avec les vies, de fragiliser nos démocraties, de pointer du doigt et de culpabiliser toujours les plus vulnérables. Ayez enfin le courage politique de mettre fin à ces escroqueries scandaleuses dès maintenant.
Debate: Pandora Papers: implications on the efforts to combat money laundering, tax evasion and avoidance
Date: WEDNESDAY, 6 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Chris MacManus
Political group: The Left
Country: Austria
Language: EN

Madam President, international investigative journalists have shone a light on many who crave the spotlight in their professional and political lives but wish for their secret wealth to be shrouded in darkness. I commend the work of these journalists. It reminds those who need reminding that our world is a viciously unequal place. As countries scramble for millions to fund health and social services, USD 11 trillion are out of reach offshore. My own country, Ireland, plays a significant role in this great cheating of our peoples.  Global action to tackle offshore money and the associated crime and tax avoidances is now required. As a cog in this machine of inequity, Ireland must get its house in order, start rebuilding our reputation not as facilitators to hiding capital of billionaires, but as a country with moral conscience that values transparency over secrecy, equality over inequality, and decency over greed.
Debate: Pandora Papers: implications on the efforts to combat money laundering, tax evasion and avoidance
Date: WEDNESDAY, 6 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: David Casa
Political group: PPE
Country: Germany
Language: MT

Tal-mistħija li ninsabu hawn. Ħames snin ilu konna qegħdin nitkellmu dwar il-Panama Papers u, illum, ninsabu hawn niddiskutu l-istess suġġett: is-serq, il-ħabi, il-ħasil tal-flus u din id-darba, għal darb’oħra, dawn l-investigazzjonijiet saru minn ġurnalisti. Iva, jiena nemmen, li l-ġurnalisti qegħdin jagħmlu xogħolna u dan mhux sew! Irrid infakkar illi erba’ snin ilu, il-ġimgħa d-dieħla, Daphne Caruana Galizia tagħlaq erba’ snin minn mindu ġiet maqtula għax kienet qed tiġġieled il-ħasil ta’ flus. Il-politiċi ma għandhomx jiġu eletti biex jaħbu flushom. Imma biex jinvestu fiż-żgħażagħ, fil-familji, fil-ħaddiema, fl-anzjani, fl-SMEs u fin-nies. L-appell tiegħi hu ċar: flimkien - għall-istituzzjonijiet kollha - hemm bżonn illi nassiguraw illi nagħmlu liġijiet u li jiġu segwiti. Illi min ħeba flusu m’għandux isib ebda klawżola li tħallih liberu. U dan nistgħu nagħmluh biss jekk naħdmu flimkien. U għandna fejn nistgħu naħdmu flimkien. Fi ftit ta’ żmien ieħor nibdew nitkellmu dwar kif ħa niġġieldu, dan il-Parlament kollu, il-ħasil ta’ flus fuq il-proposti li ressqet il-Kummissjoni.  Ejjew ningħaqdu, ejjew inkunu Parlament unit għaliex flimkien irridu nassiguraw li l-ġustizzja ssir u li trid tidher li qiegħda ssir. Aħna l-politiċi rridu niġġieldu kull fejn hemm il-ħasil ta’ flus, anke jekk ikunu politiċi li ġejjin minn pajjiżi tagħna.
Debate: Pandora Papers: implications on the efforts to combat money laundering, tax evasion and avoidance
Date: WEDNESDAY, 6 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Evelyn Regner
Political group: S-D
Country: Netherlands
Language: DE

Frau Präsidentin, sehr geehrter Herr Kommissar! Und ewig grüßt das Murmeltier. Da ist er schon wieder, der nächste Steuerskandal. Panama-, Paradise-, jetzt die Pandora-Papers. Aber diese Pandora-Papers-Enthüllungen übertreffen ihre Vorgänger mit einer Wucht, die man sich kaum mehr vorstellen kann. Das führt unweigerlich zu vielen Fragen: Warum ist es noch möglich, dass es Briefkastenfirmen gibt, deren einziger Zweck darin besteht, Steuern zu umgehen? Warum ist es noch möglich, Offshore-Konten anzulegen, deren einziges Ziel es ist, Reichtum zu verstecken? Warum ist es noch möglich, dass Banken und Anwaltskanzleien die Bittsteller für diese moralisch so verwerflichen Aktionen sind?  Auf diese Fragen kann es nur eine Antwort geben: Es reicht uns, bis daher! Regierungen aller Länder müssen endlich im Kampf gegen Steuerhinterziehung und Steuervermeidung effektive Maßnahmen setzen. Steuervermeidung, Steuerumgehung, das macht unsere Gesellschaft kaputt. Es geht um Milliarden von Euro, die wir als Gesellschaft brauchen und die der Gesellschaft auch schlicht gehören. Das haben sich alle braven Steuerzahlerinnen und Steuerzahler verdient. Deshalb bleibt nur eines zu sagen:
Debate: Pandora Papers: implications on the efforts to combat money laundering, tax evasion and avoidance
Date: WEDNESDAY, 6 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Rosa D'Amato
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: Czechia
Language: IT

Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, prima vennero i  Eppure la  Il problema è politico, ma anche di credibilità. Con che credibilità l'Europa alza la bandiera della lotta all'evasione fiscale, quando ben due capi di governo e un ministro delle Finanze eludono il fisco? Con che credibilità essi stessi chiedono ai cittadini di fare sacrifici, chiedono il ritorno della  Questo non è soltanto un problema di giustizia fiscale, ma anche un problema di giustizia sociale.
Debate: Pandora Papers: implications on the efforts to combat money laundering, tax evasion and avoidance
Date: WEDNESDAY, 6 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Michaela Šojdrová
Political group: PPE
Country: Greece
Language: CS

Paní předsedající, Evropská unie spolu s členskými státy se snaží prosadit efektivní opatření v boji proti finančním podvodům a praní peněz a musí je také vymáhat. Je velkým paradoxem, že tato pravidla by měl aktivně prosazovat jeden z aktérů skandálu  Andrej Babiš čelí trestnímu stíhání doma, které trvá podezřele dlouho, obhajuje se v Bruselu a teď ho čekají další vyšetřování možná ve Francii, ve Spojených státech. Proto místo toho, aby hájil zájmy občanů České republiky, bude se muset hájit před policií a soudy v těchto zemích. Vážím si práce investigativních novinářů, kteří spolupracovali po celém světě, aby rozkryli i tuto kauzu. Nejsou to žádné dohady, to jsou fakta. Ani Andrej Babiš tyto transakce nepopírá.  Již tento pátek mohou občané v České republice rozhodnout o změně a mají šanci si zvolit nového premiéra. Premiéra, který bude důvěryhodným partnerem v Evropské unii a bude skutečně hájit zájmy českých občanů. Proto prosím, držte nám palce!
Debate: Pandora Papers: implications on the efforts to combat money laundering, tax evasion and avoidance
Date: WEDNESDAY, 6 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Pedro Marques
Political group: S-D
Country: Czechia
Language: PT

Senhora Presidente, Senhor Comissário, Senhor Representante do Conselho, Colegas, aquilo que os  Nada disto é novidade. Nenhuma destas medidas é novidade. Falta vontade política no Conselho. Falta vontade política no Conselho para que passemos a instrumentos legislativos efetivos para a implementação de uma verdadeira Lista Negra de Paraísos Fiscais com consequências sérias sobre os Estados. Podem contar connosco para apertar, ainda mais, na luta contra a lavagem de dinheiro, a começar pela criação de uma autoridade europeia. Não podemos, contudo, ficar pela indignação outra vez. Aqui temos a responsabilidade de lutar e de responsabilizar quem tem que ser responsabilizado para fazer a diferença.
Debate: Pandora Papers: implications on the efforts to combat money laundering, tax evasion and avoidance
Date: WEDNESDAY, 6 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Bas Eickhout
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: France
Language: EN

Madam President, I would like to thank everyone for, again, another scandal on this matter. I think we all share our frustration about the lack of progress, but we also need to be a bit more precise now on what we are going to do. To the Commission and the Council, I think you need to be better in explaining a couple of decisions that have been made.  Therefore, first of all to the Commission, this is also about enforcement. We do have common reporting standards from the OECD into the Directive on Administrative Cooperation (DAC) but, if we see, for example, on anti-money laundering that Malta is there on a grey list, if you look to the Financial Action Task Force, can you then see that Malta did not correctly implement the Anti—Money Laundering Directive? What is the Commission going to do about that? We need to be more precise. And the same for the Council, and this is really about this blacklist. Why is Turkey again prolonged? Why is the United States, which is not cooperative, again not mentioned, whereas in the Pandora Papers, it is very clear that the United States is becoming a bigger and bigger problem? The Council needs to reply to the citizens’ questions on this.
Debate: Pandora Papers: implications on the efforts to combat money laundering, tax evasion and avoidance
Date: WEDNESDAY, 6 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Radosław Sikorski
Political group: PPE
Country: Sweden
Language: EN

Madam President, I am livid that, at a time when businesses are failing, when whole countries are collapsing because of the pandemic, and when debt levels are rising, these unscrupulous individuals and unscrupulous companies have squirreled away tens of billions of euros in these tax havens.  There is no such thing as offshore anyway. They are all onshore somewhere. This is all a fiction. These are just loopholes exploited by over—clever lawyers. And we can do something about it. We need the money, but we need to restore the moral basis of capitalism, or else.  I ask the Commission, why don’t we simply make it illegal for our citizens and our companies to hold accounts in the non-cooperating jurisdictions? And, if it doesn’t work, let’s send fleets to the Caribbean, seize their documentation and expropriate the lot. This thievery has to stop now.
Debate: Pandora Papers: implications on the efforts to combat money laundering, tax evasion and avoidance
Date: WEDNESDAY, 6 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Mikuláš Peksa
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: Denmark
Language: CS

Paní předsedající, já bych chtěl v první řadě poděkovat novinářům za jejich odvážnou práci, protože díky  Takže tady vidíme, proč tak málo záleželo některým politikům na tom, aby ty věci byly transparentní a férové. Já nebudu slušný, já bych chtěl říct nějaká jména, konkrétně Andrej Babiš rozhodoval o evropských finančních regulacích, a to napřed jako český ministr financí a posléze jako český premiér. A celou tu dobu byl nejenom ve střetu zájmů jako vlastník firmy Agrofert, ale taky zneužíval daňové ráje, díky kterým si nakoupil několik zámečků ve Francii.  Takže co dál: potřebujeme v první řadě dodržovat ta existující pravidla, která momentálně jsou proti praní špinavých peněz, a potřebujeme je vylepšit, aby se tohle už nedělo dál. Ale taky hlavně potřebujeme zlepšit tu rozhodovací strukturu, kterou máme, protože jinak se to nestane. Každý členský stát dneska může legislativu proti daňovým rájům vetovat. Takže je konečně čas ukončit to rozhodování jednomyslností v těchto otázkách a rozhodovat v Evropě kvalifikovanou většinou, protože u stolu bude vždycky sedět nějaký Babiš, který to bude vetovat kvůli svému osobnímu prospěchu.
Debate: Pandora Papers: implications on the efforts to combat money laundering, tax evasion and avoidance
Date: WEDNESDAY, 6 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Claude Gruffat
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: Hungary
Language: FR

Madame la Présidente, Monsieur le Commissaire, Monsieur le représentant du Conseil, chers collègues, l’évasion fiscale menace les fondements de nos démocraties et les  Je remarque l’absence de commentaires sur cette affaire de la part de certains groupes politiques, de l’extrême droite jusqu’aux libéraux, unis comme jamais pour éviter de froisser les riches pris en flagrant délit de triche sur l’impôt. Cet aveu de complicité est même partagé par certains grands États. En France, par exemple, depuis des mois, le gouvernement fait les poches des pauvres et des personnes fragiles, mais on évoque juste quelques sanctions contre les tricheurs démasqués. Une belle prime pour les malins qui ne se sont pas encore fait prendre, mais toujours rien pour éradiquer le problème à la racine. Alors, Monsieur le Commissaire, Monsieur le représentant du Conseil, l’Union européenne doit être absolument exemplaire sur ce sujet. Nous attendons des actions fortes, rapides, et transposables au niveau mondial via l’OCDE. En deux ans de présence au sein de ce Parlement, c’est la cinquième fois que je prends la parole dans cette enceinte à chaque scandale. Il est temps de mettre fin à cette mascarade qui dure depuis si longtemps.
Debate: Pandora Papers: implications on the efforts to combat money laundering, tax evasion and avoidance
Date: WEDNESDAY, 6 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Javier Zarzalejos
Political group: PPE
Country: Croatia
Language: ES

Señora presidenta, señor comisario, el Consorcio Internacional de Periodistas de Investigación advierte que, debido a la complejidad y al secreto del sistema  Y digo esto porque estamos ante un debate en el que a veces lo más llamativo o lo más escandaloso no es siempre lo más importante. Y me refiero concretamente a la lucha contra el blanqueo. Hemos hecho avances notables, pero las operaciones policiales más recientes vuelven a poner de manifiesto la enorme dimensión de este problema. La revisión en curso de la legislación europea es importante. Necesitamos legislación, pero —y se ha dicho— también necesitamos implementación y recursos.  Crear una compañía  Necesitamos una evaluación estricta, realista y creíble de la lista de paraísos fiscales y de las obligaciones de cooperación desde la Unión Europea. Y este Parlamento debe exigir con firmeza el cumplimiento de esas obligaciones.
Debate: Pandora Papers: implications on the efforts to combat money laundering, tax evasion and avoidance
Date: WEDNESDAY, 6 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Daniel Freund
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: Spain
Language: EN

Madam President, from 2014 to 2017 Andrej Babiš was the finance minister of the Czech Republic and as such was sitting on the Council, negotiating anti-money laundering, tax evasion, the fight against tax havens.  But while he was sitting on the Council, Andrej Babiš had a secret because he himself, while saying that he was fighting tax evasion, used a letterbox company to buy a EUR 15 million château in the south of France, hiding his identity and shielding the source of the funding. It would not be the last time, of course, that Andrej Babiš was hiding a conflict of interest from his colleagues on the Council.  We know from the Commission now, it is certified, his ongoing conflicts of interest, but nothing happens. He isn’t stepping down. He isn’t selling his companies. And he clearly hasn’t stopped taking EU money. He is actually making the Czech Republic fight for it.  The rules are clear. Conflicts of interest should not persist, particularly not at the heart of decision-making in the European Council. And if Andrej Babiš doesn’t resolve that conflict of interest, well, then the others need to force him. The Council should stop sitting down and negotiating with him, while the conflict of interest persists.
Debate: Pandora Papers: implications on the efforts to combat money laundering, tax evasion and avoidance
Date: WEDNESDAY, 6 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Billy Kelleher
Political group: Renew
Country: Denmark
Language: EN

Madam President, the Pandora Papers leak had 12 million documents, exposing quite clearly that there is continual tax evasion, money laundering of ill—gotten gains. And it is at the highest levels, and unfortunately, we have situations where we have Prime Ministers that sit on the Council, who are now being identified as people who are using letterbox companies and other nefarious means to avoid paying tax. There is no doubt that we have to accept that at the highest levels in politics across Europe and across the globe, people are engaging in this ill—gotten activity. Of course, that delays the capacity of the Council, the Commission and even this Parliament in trying to bring forward legislative proposals that will weed out this particular activity.  We have to ensure that our tax authorities cooperate at a greater level than heretofore. If anything comes from the Pandora Papers leak, it shows that at the highest level of politics, there is illegal activity in terms of tax evasion, and our tax authorities must cooperate to ensure that we can root this out.
Debate: Pandora Papers: implications on the efforts to combat money laundering, tax evasion and avoidance
Date: WEDNESDAY, 6 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Patryk Jaki
Political group: ECR
Country: Slovenia
Language: PL

Pani Przewodnicząca! Panie Komisarzu! W tej debacie widzimy, że jest pewna absencja, która jest więcej niż wymowna. Mianowicie chodzi o panią komisarz Jurovą. Tak gromiła i tropiła Węgry i Polskę, że nie zauważyła problemów na własnym podwórku. Pandora Papers pokazała po raz kolejny problemy jej kolegi, premiera Babisza. Poprzednia rezolucja Parlamentu Europejskiego w tej sprawie pokazała, jak Czechy wydają środki unijne, a kolega pani komisarz de facto sam sobie te środki przyznawał. Proszę notabene we własnych rankingach zobaczyć, jak wzorowo środki wydaje Polska dla kontrastu, jakbyście następnym razem chcieli atakować.  A dziś właśnie z Panama Papers dowiadujemy się o kolejnych dziwnych transakcjach premiera Babisza. Ze środków pochodzących nie wiadomo skąd, ani w jaki sposób transferowanych. Chowanych gdzieś w dziwnych sytuacjach. I co? I pani komisarz Jurovej nie ma. Przyjdzie za to na kolejną debatę o Polsce.
Debate: Pandora Papers: implications on the efforts to combat money laundering, tax evasion and avoidance
Date: WEDNESDAY, 6 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Paolo Gentiloni
Language: EN

It’s interesting to note that in these very days we could make further progress, because we could reach an important global agreement. But, at the same time, we are lacking in both implementation and speed, because in this fight between those that promote this behaviour, and those of us fighting it, the matter of speed is essential.  I think that from this debate we should take a commitment to strengthen the implementation, such as the criteria for our list of jurisdictions and, of course, the discussion that is going on – which we will address in the next debate – about the reform of the code of conduct. I count on the commitment of the Slovenian Presidency to try to accelerate the discussion that has been going on for one year on the reform of the code of conduct. And we have to accelerate our proposals – perhaps the most important one after the anti-money laundering package will be the proposal on shell companies.  We know that this fight about implementation and speed will not be solved in a few weeks. But we also know that we are more determined than ever to go ahead with this. With our determination, I think that opening this Pandora’s box could be seen not as it was in Greek mythology as a disaster, a tragedy, but as an opportunity to go forward. I think that together we can reach this target.
Debate: Pandora Papers: implications on the efforts to combat money laundering, tax evasion and avoidance
Date: WEDNESDAY, 6 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Anže Logar
Language: EN

Some Members put forward the question of the EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions. The purpose of the EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes adopted by the Council is to encourage cooperation and positive change, not to name and shame. The Council has never characterised the EU list as a blacklist.  Many speakers stressed the removal of three countries – Anguilla, Dominica and the Seychelles – from the EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions. Let me explain that these countries were removed from the list in Annex 1, because they made sufficient commitments at a high political level to address the deficiencies that had been identified.  The list is revised twice a year. The Council engages with the countries that do not meet the criteria on tax transparency, fair taxation and prevention of base erosion and profit shifting, monitors their progress and regularly reviews and updates the list.  In any case, the delisting from Annex 1 does not mean that those countries are not monitored any more. They are simply not considered non—cooperative any longer, but continue to be examined as part of Annex 2. It is worth noting that they accepted to make commitments at a high level. This is a positive development. Nine jurisdictions remain on the list of non-cooperative jurisdictions. The next review of the list will take place in February 2022.  There was as well a statement that the Council should better explain its decision. The fiscal attachés met on 8, 13, 16 and 20 September to prepare the revision of the EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions and on 21 September met the members of the Code of Conduct Group for the draft Council conclusions. The high-level working party on tax questions examined the state of play on 23 September. Fiscal attachés met again on 24 September for the proposal to proceed as an eighth item, and it was supported by all the delegations – the Netherlands included. Coreper met on 29 September to adopt the decision at the Ecofin this week without discussion and therefore the decision was adopted.   – Gospa predsednica. Spoštovane poslanke in poslanci, gospe in gospodje. Zahvaljujem se v imenu Sveta za današnjo razpravo in vaš prispevek k tej zelo pomembni temi, ki bo zagotovo še odmevala in se bo o njej zagotovo še razpravljalo tudi v okviru Evropskega parlamenta in tudi v vseh institucijah, ki so povezane s preprečevanjem pranja denarja in davčnimi utajami.  Želim si, da bodo države članice Evropske unije našle skupno pot za kar najučinkovitejši sistem preprečevanja pranja denarja in preprečevanje davčnih utaj.  Spoštovani komisar, gospod Gentiloni. Lahko vam zagotovim, da je Slovenija zavezana in da bo slovensko predsedstvo storilo vse, kar je v naši moči, da bi v tem mandatu in v času slovenskega predsedovanja prispevali k uresničitvi tega cilja. Še enkrat hvala za pozornost.