unimelb-nlp/MultiEup-v2 huggingface dataset:
Debate: Commission communication on the Review of the economic governance
Date: MONDAY, 10 FEBRUARY 2020
Speaker: Clare Daly
Political group: GUE/NGL
Country: France
Language: EN

Madam President, there’s been a lot of talk from the Commission about reviewing the fiscal policies and the measures taken after the financial crash, but for me there’s precious little really in terms of the impact or the real effect on the citizens of Europe, and for me, the report is really a bit of a whitewash of austerity. I mean, you’re actually proud of the fact that you have reduced excessive deficits, as you call it, but no attention paid to the impact that that has had on citizens: the debts of bankers foisted onto citizens. And the result of that was seen in the election in Ireland over the weekend, where the citizens rose up against economic austerity, against the rules which have prevented investment in social and public housing, with rising homelessness and people’s inability to put a roof over their heads. The Commission says they’re interested in what could be done better regarding economic governance. Well I put it to you: how about changing the EU debt and deficit rules so that they don’t apply, for example, to investment in social housing. You’ve no problem doing it with arms expenditure. Could you not do it on social housing as well?
Debate: Commission communication on the Review of the economic governance
Date: MONDAY, 10 FEBRUARY 2020
Speaker: Mick Wallace
Political group: GUE/NGL
Country: Germany
Language: EN

Madam President, I too believe that the stability pact has to be revisited. We’ve got to have a better format. The truth be told, too many citizens of Europe are being left behind because of your strict rules. People say that we need these strict rules in order to have financial security and stability. Well, you know what – financial security and stability for who? Sadly, too many people are being left behind and Member States need the flexibility to take better care of those who most need our help and as my colleague said, in Ireland this weekend, the neoliberal parties that were in government got a real good kicking because they didn’t serve the interests of those who most need it. My last point, on infrastructure and investment: we have been forced into public-private partnerships (PPPs) to do infrastructure, where we pay 15% for money. We can borrow money for less than 1% on the books if you don’t hamper us with a 3% rule.
Debate: Commission communication on the Review of the economic governance
Date: MONDAY, 10 FEBRUARY 2020
Speaker: Paolo Gentiloni
Language: EN

We have to avoid the idea of the fact that we have two different ideological positions – pro—stability against pro—growth – paralysing all the chance that we have to review our rules in the right direction. I think that the Parliament can give a strong contribution to bridge these ideological differences. There are strong differences that I perfectly understand, but if we are working on reducing complexity, fighting against procyclicality and changing these rules, I think we will work in the right direction. My last point is this: is all this exercise connected to the main defining objective that the new Commission with the Parliament decided, which is the green transition? My answer is definitely ‘yes’, because it’s very difficult to understand how we will be able to lead this transition without having a strong commitment from the point of view of public investment. This is the reason why I think there is a connection between our targets on the green transition and the review of our economic governance. So thank you again, and I think this is a first step in a discussion that we will continue with the Parliament, with the committees in the next weeks and months.
Debate: Assessment of the revised enlargement methodology proposal of the Commission
Date: MONDAY, 10 FEBRUARY 2020
Speaker: Tonino Picula
Political group: S-D
Country: France
Language: EN

I agree that the new approach introduces some better elements. Above all, it allows negotiating countries to use European Union programmes before accession, such as the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) or the European Green Deal. In essence, the new approach does not differ much in substance from the existing negotiation framework, which became more complex with every new enlargement. It’s also welcome that negotiating countries can already decide for themselves whether they want to negotiate according to the new methodology or not. For example, Montenegro has been negotiating for eight years, and only one chapter remains to be opened. Member States are invited to participate more systematically in the accession process then has previously been the case.  That’s why I hope this document will convince more sceptical Members to open negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania, hopefully at the March Council meeting. It’s clear that the decision to postpone the opening of negotiations directly called into question reform processes in these countries, which have been required for years. That was directly denying support for those who implemented them. The new methodology offers a sustainable model, in that it is now up to Member States to deliver on their promises and thus to restore credibility to the enlargement process as such.
Debate: Assessment of the revised enlargement methodology proposal of the Commission
Date: MONDAY, 10 FEBRUARY 2020
Speaker: Ilhan Kyuchyuk
Political group: Renew
Country: Netherlands
Language: EN

It is too early to come to a general conclusion on how the new methodology will work, but in order to enhance the effectiveness of the accession process, it should provide dynamism rather than complicating the enlargement process and this must mean a stronger focus on fundamental reforms, the organisation of the chapters in thematic clusters and clear conditionality. I am very much in favour of this new process, but I do not want to see this new idea turn into a new condition that will again leave the region in the backyard of the EU for a long time.  This is what we have tried to propose in our political group. We recently adopted the Renew Europe policy paper on the Western Balkans, which is based on our values and understanding of enlargement. We want the citizens and the societies of the candidate countries to be more closely associated with and benefit from the accession process. We want to integrate our partners there at an earlier stage in key policies, like the Green Deal, digital policies and connectivity, and to give them the chance to reform and benefit long before actual accession. The European perspective is a strong driving force for the reforms of the region. Realising that our group has always pursued a clear and consistent enlargement policy, we believe that reforms related to the EU should go hand in hand with the enlargement process. We need to reform the European Union not because of the Western Balkan countries, but because of the European Union itself.
Debate: Assessment of the revised enlargement methodology proposal of the Commission
Date: MONDAY, 10 FEBRUARY 2020
Speaker: Anna Bonfrisco
Political group: ID
Country: Belgium
Language: IT

Infatti, disoccupazione, deficit economico, squilibri interni ed esterni espongono la regione a shock economici avversi. Ma lo Stato di diritto è solo un parametro o è piuttosto un enunciato garante della stabilità dell'inclusione e della convivenza in un sistema allargato tra di noi? È sufficiente per le particolarità dell'Albania? In guerra con sé stessa, tra corruzione, laicità e cultura democratica inesistenti, organizzazioni criminali sofisticate, divari oggi incolmabili. Colleghi ed egregio Commissario, la Commissione si ostina a proporre un metodo ma non riesce ad affrontare il merito delle questioni. Proprio il metodo era il motivo apparente per cui le trattative con Albania e Nord Macedonia sono state interrotte pochi mesi fa, ma sappiamo tutti che a preoccupare erano le prospettive future dell'ingresso di questi Stati. In tutto questo, nella proposta della Commissione, la problematica della sicurezza infatti è solo accennata, a fronte di un mandato chiaro che i cittadini europei ci hanno dato a proteggere e difendere quest'Europa. Per concludere, ritengo insufficiente, signor Commissario, sostenere la mera promozione delle riforme, perché l'Unione europea non potrà trovarsi ad affrontare in corso d'opera le molte incertezze dei Balcani occidentali. Piuttosto deve essere garantita con certezza l'irreversibilità dello Stato di diritto come cardine del processo di allargamento.
Debate: Assessment of the revised enlargement methodology proposal of the Commission
Date: MONDAY, 10 FEBRUARY 2020
Speaker: Viola Von Cramon-Taubadel
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: Ireland
Language: EN

Unfortunately, democratic institutions are not safe once we see progress. Rule of law and media pluralism have been declining since Serbia started negotiations in 2014, yet we pretend as if nothing has happened and continue the negotiations and other chapters, but without the fundamentals we cannot progress in other fields either. With a new approach, we can move forward when we see progress. The more ambitious countries need to be included in as many EU policies as possible. With this, we could gain back credibility and work on real changes in every citizen’s life in the region.  The southeast of Europe needs to become part of our Green Deal if we want to see Europe climate—neutral by 2050. However, we should keep our promises. Nothing is worse than the disappointment which the Council produced during the last summit in October. It urgently needs a green light for North Macedonia and Albania. Abolishing the visa regime for Kosovo is overdue, as they have fulfilled all the criteria required. A new methodology is only meaningful if we keep ourselves to it as well.
Debate: Assessment of the revised enlargement methodology proposal of the Commission
Date: MONDAY, 10 FEBRUARY 2020
Speaker: Jessica Stegrud
Political group: ECR
Language: SV

Brexit är dock inte EU:s enda problem. Sverige, liksom många andra medlemsländer, har problem med skuggsamhällen, arbetslöshet, lönedumpning, kriminalitet och bostadsbrist. Lägg till en stundande lågkonjunktur och politisk splittring. I en sund organisation hade man stannat upp och dragit vissa lärdomar, ödmjukt analyserat och, inte minst, fokuserat på de problem jag nyss nämnde. Fru talman, jag vill ställa en fråga till mina svenska kolleger: Hur motiverar ni denna utvidgning med två länder som har omfattande problem med korruption, ekonomi och arbetslöshet, när det i slutändan kommer att vara svenska medborgare och skattebetalare som betalar priset?
Debate: Assessment of the revised enlargement methodology proposal of the Commission
Date: MONDAY, 10 FEBRUARY 2020
Speaker: Vladimír Bilčík
Political group: PPE
Country: France
Language: EN

Madam President, I would like to thank the Commissioner for his presentation. As the standing rapporteur for Serbia and as the delegation chair for Montenegro, I really welcome the revised methodology on enlargement. I also welcome it as the first step: as the first step in a journey, a journey towards making enlargement a successful European political priority. Our partners in the Western Balkans must regain trust in their European perspective, and engaged communication is the key to this trust. I am therefore very happy that already last week, on a joint visit, we demonstrated this trust in Belgrade, when representatives of this Parliament and you yourself, Commissioner, visited our Serbian partners. Now it is time to bring the Council and the Member States on board. We must be united when it comes to enlargement, and the first key step is to open accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania by March this year. Only then can we really engage on the fundamentals. Being united in enlargement means that we can succeed.
Debate: Assessment of the revised enlargement methodology proposal of the Commission
Date: MONDAY, 10 FEBRUARY 2020
Speaker: Isabel Santos
Political group: S-D
Country: Hungary
Language: PT

Senhora Presidente, a política de alargamento da União Europeia é uma das suas ferramentas mais importantes e uma pedra fundamental na promoção da democracia, do Estado de direito, da paz e da prosperidade. Esta proposta de revisão da metodologia de alargamento representa um novo momento, depois do desaire de outubro, vindo reforçar a dinâmica política do processo de adesão e introduzir maior previsibilidade no mesmo pela aposta na definição de objetivos claros, que garantem a tomada de decisões assentes no mérito, um passo fundamental para uma maior confiança. O reforço da preponderância da reforma das instituições, do respeito pelo Estado de direito e das liberdades fundamentais dentro do conjunto de dossiês de adesão vem ao encontro das preocupações desde sempre expressas pelo Grupo dos Socialistas e Democratas e saudamos, por isso, a importância dada a este tema dentro do conjunto desta proposta. Mas não posso deixar de assinalar a timidez com que o Senhor Comissário se referiu a este tópico nesta reunião, ao contrário do que aconteceu noutras reuniões. Saliento ainda a importância de envolver mais diretamente os Estados-Membros e espero que se construa um mecanismo de incentivo crescente à adoção por parte dos países em adesão das políticas da União Europeia, de forma a garantir a convergência económica e política essencial ao sucesso da integração. Enquanto relatora para a Albânia, não posso deixar de sublinhar, de forma veemente, que não aceitaremos que esta reforma possa ser utilizada para dificultar, atrasar, ou impedir os processos de adesão em curso, especialmente com a Albânia e a Macedónia, com os quais o Parlamento, a Comissão e o Conselho têm um compromisso ...
Debate: Assessment of the revised enlargement methodology proposal of the Commission
Date: MONDAY, 10 FEBRUARY 2020
Speaker: Nathalie Loiseau
Political group: Renew
Country: Poland
Language: FR

Madame la Présidente, il était temps: le débat sur l’élargissement sort enfin de la routine bureaucratique dans laquelle il s’était enfermé.  Agrandir notre Union est un choix politique. Il doit être assumé comme tel, à la fois par les pays candidats et par l’Union européenne. Je salue la proposition de la Commission qui introduit de la clarté, de la progressivité, mais aussi davantage de prise de responsabilité de chacun dans le processus d’élargissement. Si des progrès sont réalisés, nous devons en tenir compte. Si des reculs sont enregistrés, il faut aussi en tirer les conséquences. Je salue tout particulièrement l’accent qui est mis sur l’état de droit tout au long du chemin vers l’adhésion à notre Union. L’état de droit, ce n’est pas une case que l’on coche sur un papier que l’on signe, c’est le cœur de ce qui nous rassemble. Nous avons déjà trop d’adversaires de la liberté au sein de notre Union et nous ne voulons pas en faire entrer davantage. Nous ne nous contenterons pas de déclarations d’intention, de réformes annoncées ou adoptées sur le papier. Ce qui compte, c’est la réalité concrète, quotidienne, de la défense de nos valeurs fondamentales.  Pour finir, je souhaite nous alerter: si elle aspire à s’agrandir, l’Union européenne doit être capable de se réformer. Nous ne pouvons pas accueillir de nouveaux membres dans une maison en désordre; on le dit depuis longtemps, il est temps de passer aux actes. La conférence sur l’avenir de l’Europe nous en donne l’occasion, saisissons-la.
Debate: Assessment of the revised enlargement methodology proposal of the Commission
Date: MONDAY, 10 FEBRUARY 2020
Speaker: Jérôme Rivière
Political group: ID
Country: Italy
Language: FR

Madame la Présidente, la Commission propose une nouvelle méthode afin d’appréhender les problématiques des nouvelles adhésions, notamment celles des Balkans occidentaux. Une nouvelle méthode d’élargissement qui consiste à remplacer 35 chapitres par six thèmes de négociation. La Commission considère ces adhésions comme des priorités essentielles de son mandat. Ce n’est pas le choix des peuples. Lors du sommet de Zagreb, la Commission, sourde aux précédents refus, proposera à nouveau d’entamer des négociations d’adhésion avec l’Albanie et la Macédoine du Nord. Elle entend également promouvoir un vaste plan d’investissement pour les Balkans occidentaux. Ainsi, la Commission préconise le regroupement des 35 chapitres en six  Sur la méthode, ce regroupement des chapitres ne pourra que renforcer le pouvoir de la Commission. En effet, le Conseil se prononçait jusqu’ici à l’unanimité sur l’ouverture, la clôture ou le gel des 35 chapitres. Avec le regroupement en six  Enfin, la Commission veut prendre la main grâce au plan d’investissement prévu pour l’ensemble des Balkans occidentaux. Les peuples ont manifesté par leur vote en mai leur souhait d’arrêter ces vagues successives d’intégration. Le Royaume-Uni a choisi de nous quitter. Vous avez brisé le projet européen. Nous ne pouvons accepter le renforcement constant de ce pouvoir européiste, incontrôlé, technocratique. Il faut stopper l’élargissement, arrêter de dissoudre les pays dans un grand ensemble technocratique, cheval de Troie de la mondialisation. Le coronavirus exposant nos pays qui, sur vos conseils, ont tout délocalisé, y compris leur sécurité sanitaire, sonne le glas de cette folle politique.
Debate: Assessment of the revised enlargement methodology proposal of the Commission
Date: MONDAY, 10 FEBRUARY 2020
Speaker: Tineke Strik
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: Poland
Language: EN

Madam President, we are happy that the Commission has released this proposal as we expect now from the Member States that the adoption of this proposal will lead to the start of the negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania. Can the Commission and Presidency assure us that once this methodology is adopted, the Council will show its green light in May? I hope that all the pressure will be exerted on the Member States.  We welcome the emphasis on rule of law, as well as the flexibility which enables the EU to more effectively support the candidate countries during the process. However, we have some concerns about the procedure to reverse the process without unanimity being required. This makes it easier to reverse the process than to start the process. How can the Commissioner prevent this from leading, for instance, to political arbitrariness in the decision-making and to more insecurity for the candidate countries? It can also be questioned from an institutional perspective that a different legal procedure is applied in the reversal moment from the one applied in the moment of starting the accession. So can you please elaborate on this dilemma?
Debate: Assessment of the revised enlargement methodology proposal of the Commission
Date: MONDAY, 10 FEBRUARY 2020
Speaker: Ruža Tomašić
Political group: ECR
Language: HR

Poštovana predsjedavajuća, prijedlog nove metodologije proširenja u velikoj mjeri udovoljava francuskim zahtjevima i olakšava buduće makedonske i albanske pregovore o članstvu. Ovaj je kompromis važan zato što zemlje potencijalne kandidatkinje ne bi smjele plaćati cijenu naših unutarnjih neslaganja. Ono što u ovom prijedlogu smatram posebno vrijednim jest veća fleksibilnost, pogotovo kada je riječ o sankcijama ili čak suspendiranju pregovora za one koji stagniraju ili nazaduju u udovoljavanju kriterijima. Pristupanje Europskoj uniji u pravilu je dugotrajan i transformirajući proces. Pred zemljama koje kroz taj proces prolaze stoje veliki izazovi za koje trebamo imati razumijevanja, ali s druge strane moramo ostati dosljedni u inzistiranju da se kriteriji ispune i da jednaka pravila vrijede za sve. Samo tako EU može zadržati kredibilitet i ostati poželjna destinacija svim neintegriranim državama Europe.
Debate: Assessment of the revised enlargement methodology proposal of the Commission
Date: MONDAY, 10 FEBRUARY 2020
Speaker: Željana Zovko
Political group: PPE
Language: EN

Madam President, I would like to congratulate the Commissioner. Commissioner, last week you presented the new methodology for enlargement, hoping to send a positive message to the candidate countries and hoping to appease the concerns of the Member States. The reactions coming from both Member States and from the Western Balkan countries are very positive, and your work will be crucial to prevent a repetition of the blocking of accession talks.  I strongly welcome the two key concepts in the methodology: credibility and political steering. The Western Balkans need a credible accession perspective with appropriate European engagement based on the lessons learned. On the other side, it is up to the political leadership of the candidate countries to demonstrate their commitment to join the EU by enforcing fundamental political and economic reforms, assisted by the European Union and inspired by our recommendations.  As the co-rapporteur for the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA III) and a directly elected representative of EU citizens, I expect in the future more involvement of the European Parliament in the accession process, and the acknowledgment and implementation of Parliament’s resolutions. These resolutions, adopted by the majority of this House, focus on the progress of the way forward for these countries. We are facilitators for the enlargement, and we are the strongest advocate of the Western Balkans within the EU institutions. Therefore, we expect our resolutions to be heard, discussed and implemented.
Debate: Assessment of the revised enlargement methodology proposal of the Commission
Date: MONDAY, 10 FEBRUARY 2020
Speaker: Andreas Schieder
Political group: S-D
Country: Germany
Language: DE

Frau Präsidentin! Der Balkan ist Teil Europas – mit allen seinen Widersprüchen, vor allem aber auch mit den vielen Gemeinsamkeiten, die es am Balkan gibt. Eine dieser Gemeinsamkeiten ist diese große Hoffnung, die vor allem die Jungen in der Region auf Europa setzen. Das heißt, wir müssen Reformen ermutigen und unterstützen, und das müssen auch die neuen Regeln, die heute vorgestellt worden sind, erfüllen.  Im Zentrum steht das  Ich begrüße die neuen Regeln, die vorgestellt worden sind: Sie sind strukturiert, klar und nachvollziehbar. Das muss daher auch dazu führen, dass beim März-Rat ein grünes Licht gegeben wird – ein grünes Licht, dass die Verhandlungen mit Nordmazedonien, das vor allem so wichtige und tiefe Reformen unternommen hat, und mit Albanien aufgenommen werden können und aufgenommen werden. Das wäre das stärkste Zeichen, das der Balkan dringend braucht.
Debate: Assessment of the revised enlargement methodology proposal of the Commission
Date: MONDAY, 10 FEBRUARY 2020
Speaker: Petras Auštrevičius
Political group: Renew
Country: Lithuania
Language: EN

Madam President, the EU enlargement policy is one of the most empowering and successful policy instruments that we possess. If the proposed methodology will succeed to streamline the accession process, then it was worth approving. However, success is embedded not in a smart methodology, but in a strong political will. From the EU side, it is a clear will to enlarge our European family, from the aspirants – a commitment to fully fulfil the membership criteria. We must preserve the integrity and inclusiveness of the enlargement process. The same rules must apply to all candidates. Moreover, the candidate countries should reach the membership league with their hard work and no major concessions. Maintaining this understanding as well as mutual trust is a key for bringing neighbouring countries into our European family. This strategic approach has to be immune to political manipulations.