unimelb-nlp/MultiEup-v2 huggingface dataset:
Debate: Tackling the economic impact of the COVID pandemic by focusing on investment, competitiveness and skills
Date: TUESDAY, 9 MARCH 2021
Speaker: Alex Agius Saliba
Political group: S-D
Country: Malta
Language: EN

Madam President, the impact of the COVID—19 pandemic is of an unprecedented scope, extent and magnitude, affecting the health and the socio—economic situation of millions of European citizens. An unprecedented crisis requires an unprecedented response and a strategy that leaves no one behind, focusing on people, workers and businesses.  Yes, we need investment, competitiveness and skills, but we also need quality jobs. We need to reduce inequalities and address youth unemployment and the fight against poverty and social exclusion, including child poverty. We need to ensure decent working conditions, long—term security, adequate social protection, affordable gender—based opportunities, and a safe working environment, including for persons with disabilities.  We should not limit ourselves to the purely economic dimension of the crisis and instead also tackle its social impact in creating greater prosperity for all. To this end, we need a strong social dimension that boosts sustainable growth, cohesion and upward social convergence and promotes socio—economic governance. The economic and the social are not detached. They are inseparable and have to be addressed together.
Debate: Tackling the economic impact of the COVID pandemic by focusing on investment, competitiveness and skills
Date: TUESDAY, 9 MARCH 2021
Speaker: Loucas Fourlas
Political group: PPE
Country: Italy
Language: EL

Κυρία Πρόεδρε, κύριε Επίτροπε, οι οικονομικές επιπτώσεις από την κρίση που βιώνουμε, σε επίπεδο όχι μόνον κρατών αλλά και πανευρωπαϊκά, είναι τεράστιες και ακόμα δεν φτάσαμε στο τέλος του δρόμου. Θέλω όμως να πιστεύω ότι μέσα από κάθε κρίση μπορούμε να βρούμε και μια ευκαιρία. Ευκαιρία να δούμε μπροστά και να αξιοποιήσουμε όλα αυτά που μάθαμε προς όφελος των πολιτών, των επιχειρήσεων, των επενδύσεων και των χωρών μας. Θα πρέπει λοιπόν πρώτα απ’ όλα να επενδύσουμε σε τομείς όπως η υγεία και ο φαρμακευτικός τομέας, που κατέδειξαν τη σημασία τους σε περιόδους όπως αυτή που βιώνουμε τώρα. Θα πρέπει επίσης να αναπροσαρμόσουμε τη στρατηγική μας για το πού θα πρέπει να κατευθυνθούμε στον τομέα των δεξιοτήτων.  Η κρίση του κορονοϊού μάς έδειξε νομίζω τον δρόμο, κύριε Επίτροπε. Κατέδειξε ότι οι επαρκείς ψηφιακές δεξιότητες είναι κρίσιμης σημασίας, για να μπορούν οι πολίτες να έχουν πρόσβαση σε πληροφορίες, την εκπαίδευση ακόμα και την εργασία τους. Σήμερα 40% περίπου των Ευρωπαίων πολιτών εξακολουθούν να μην διαθέτουν καν τις βασικές ψηφιακές δεξιότητες, και αυτό πλέον είναι μη αποδεκτό αν θέλουμε να μιλάμε για ασφαλές περιβάλλον, είτε για επιχειρήσεις είτε για επενδύσεις. Εδώ ακριβώς θα πρέπει να στραφούμε δίνοντας έμφαση στη χρηματοδότηση και ανάπτυξη των ψηφιακών δεξιοτήτων πανευρωπαϊκά, χρησιμοποιώντας αυτό το εργαλείο για τη δημιουργία χιλιάδων θέσεων εργασίας. Ας μετατρέψουμε λοιπόν την κρίση σε ευκαιρία για αναπροσαρμογή στόχων, επιδιώξεων και πολιτικών που θα αποβούν προς όφελος των πολιτών.
Debate: Tackling the economic impact of the COVID pandemic by focusing on investment, competitiveness and skills
Date: TUESDAY, 9 MARCH 2021
Speaker: Vangelis Meimarakis
Political group: PPE
Country: Germany
Language: EL

Κυρία Πρόεδρε, το τελευταίο διάστημα οι συζητήσεις μας επικεντρώνονται στους τρόπους με τους οποίους οι ευρωπαϊκές οικονομίες θα πρέπει να δράσουν, ώστε να αντιμετωπίσουν την επόμενη μέρα της πανδημίας, η οποία προοιωνίζεται εξαιρετικά δύσκολη και με ανυπολόγιστες επιπτώσεις σε όλα τα επίπεδα. Τον τελευταίο ενάμιση χρόνο ο τουρισμός, η εστίαση, το λιανεμπόριο έχουν πληγεί ανεπανόρθωτα, τομείς δηλαδή οι οποίοι αποτελούν τα θεμέλια των εθνικών οικονομιών και προσφέρουν πολλές θέσεις εργασίας. Στη χώρα μου, την Ελλάδα, η οποία βγήκε πρόσφατα από μια επώδυνη δεκαετή οικονομική κρίση, οι κλάδοι αυτοί βρίσκονται πάλι στη δίνη του κυκλώνα και χρειάζονται την έμπρακτη στήριξή μας με εμπροσθοβαρή στοχευμένα μέτρα, προσαρμοσμένα στις ανάγκες των τοπικών κοινωνιών. Η Ευρώπη, ως οφείλει να είναι πρωταγωνιστής στην πράσινη και ψηφιακή μετάβαση, άλλο τόσο κι ακόμη περισσότερο οφείλει να διασφαλίσει τις θέσεις εργασίας και να κρατήσει τους τομείς αυτούς ζωντανούς. Αν δηλαδή πριν την επόμενη μέρα δεν έχουν θεμελιωθεί γερές βάσεις για την ανάκαμψη και ανασυγκρότησή τους, η Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση δεν θα έχει καταφέρει να σταθεί στο ύψος της απέναντι σε επιχειρήσεις που αποτελούν τη ραχοκοκαλιά των οικονομιών των κρατών μελών της.  Βεβαίως, μέσα από τις γενναίες πρωτοβουλίες και τα προγράμματα χρηματοδότησης που ήδη έχουν ανακοινωθεί και τρέχουν σε ευρωπαϊκό επίπεδο διασφαλίζεται σε μεγάλο βαθμό η επανεκκίνηση των οικονομιών, με την προϋπόθεση βεβαίως ότι οι εθνικές κυβερνήσεις θα αξιοποιήσουν τα κεφάλαια αυτά για την ενίσχυση της επιχειρηματικότητας, την τόνωση του υγιούς ανταγωνισμού με διαφάνεια και σεβασμό στο κράτος δικαίου και ότι δεν θα τα σπαταλήσουν. Το διακύβευμα λοιπόν σήμερα είναι να φτάσουμε στην επόμενη μέρα και να είμαστε όλοι όρθιοι.
Debate: Tackling the economic impact of the COVID pandemic by focusing on investment, competitiveness and skills
Date: TUESDAY, 9 MARCH 2021
Speaker: Karlo Ressler
Political group: PPE
Country: Germany
Language: HR

Poštovana predsjedavajuća, povjereniče, kolegice i kolege, koronavirus danas više nije novina i postoji značajan zamor u praćenju pandemije, premda je očito da su zdravstvene, društvene i gospodarske posljedice na naše živote puno veće nego što smo se to nadali prije godinu dana.  Zatvoreni su milijuni obrta i poduzeća, a milijuni obitelji još uvijek strepe pred neizvjesnom budućnošću. Još jednom posebno su pogođeni mladi, koji zaslužuju snažnu podršku.  Još uvijek je nemoguće predvidjeti trajanje pandemije, brzinu oporavka, ali isto tako i budućnost turizma, obrazovanja i budućnost ureda kao mjesta rada. Trend digitalizacije bio je prisutan i ranije, ali ga je pandemija dramatično ubrzala. Zato je ključno kvalitetno i odgovorno iskoristiti europska sredstva na raspolaganju.  Za povećanje transparentnosti javnih usluga, za konkurentnost privatnog sektora, ali i za podizanje digitalne pismenosti i vještina kod svih generacija, kako nitko ne bi bio isključen u novom, digitalnom, postpandemijskom društvu.
Debate: Tackling the economic impact of the COVID pandemic by focusing on investment, competitiveness and skills
Date: TUESDAY, 9 MARCH 2021
Speaker: Pedro Silva Pereira
Political group: S-D
Country: Bulgaria
Language: PT

Senhora Presidente, o reforço do investimento é o único caminho para recuperar as economias europeias atingidas por esta crise. Para não repetir o erro que a Europa cometeu na crise anterior temos de alinhar a política económica europeia e a política orçamental dos Estados—Membros com a política monetária expansionista do Banco Central Europeu. Só isso permitirá que o investimento público seja o motor de uma nova confiança e de um novo dinamismo nas nossas economias.  O plano de recuperação, que aprovámos, é uma resposta financeira poderosa e solidária que é hoje motivo de esperança para muitos europeus. Mas é preciso que todos respondam ao apelo da Presidência portuguesa, fazendo o necessário para que o dinheiro chegue à economia real o mais rapidamente possível. E é preciso também que os estímulos financeiros se mantenham o tempo suficiente, e por isso é tão importante a decisão de prolongar a suspensão das regras do défice. Tirar os estímulos orçamentais cedo demais seria um erro grave que não podemos cometer, a bem do projeto europeu.
Debate: Tackling the economic impact of the COVID pandemic by focusing on investment, competitiveness and skills
Date: TUESDAY, 9 MARCH 2021
Speaker: Paolo Gentiloni
Language: EN

Investing in the future means keeping supportive policies as long as they are needed. It means making good use of EU common funds. It means filling the investment gap that we will have, or that will risk public and private investment – this is also the discussion we had this morning on InvestEU – and it means concentrating our resources on the green transitions, the innovation and resilience of our societies. Because indeed I think we have a good opportunity to build back better.
Debate: Tackling the economic impact of the COVID pandemic by focusing on investment, competitiveness and skills
Date: TUESDAY, 9 MARCH 2021
Speaker: Ioan-Rareş Bogdan
Political group: PPE
Country: Italy
Language: RO

În acest sens, Uniunea a luat măsuri importante și a creat programe la nivel european care permit statelor membre să facă față crizei prin investiții masive în sectoarele cele mai afectate de pandemie. Contextul existent ne oferă oportunitatea de a reafirma și de a pune în aplicare angajamentele noastre pentru un viitor ecologic și digital.  Acum, mai mult ca oricând, trebuie să investim în educarea copiilor și în perfecționarea adulților în acest domeniu cheie, pentru a ne asigura că avem o forță de muncă competitivă. Noi ne-am luat angajamentul să facem tot ceea ce este necesar pentru a-i sprijini pe cetățenii noștri și economia europeană.
Debate: Tackling the economic impact of the COVID pandemic by focusing on investment, competitiveness and skills
Date: TUESDAY, 9 MARCH 2021
Speaker: Krzysztof Hetman
Political group: PPE
Country: Netherlands
Language: PL

Same założenia są więc właściwe. Problem polega jednak na tym, że ciągle borykamy się z kryzysem. Wycieńczone wielomiesięczną walką o przetrwanie firmy, stojące często na krawędzi bankructwa, nie mają środków, aby przeprowadzać inwestycje, nawet jeżeli umożliwiłyby im one pozytywną przemianą i nawet jeżeli byłyby wzmocnione unijnymi środkami. Najbardziej dotknięte sektory nadal potrzebują naszego wsparcia i uwagi. Tymczasowe ramy pomocy państwa powinny zostać utrzymane tak długo, jak to konieczne, a najbardziej poszkodowane sektory powinny otrzymać konkretne wsparcie, aby mogły się odbudować. Tylko wtedy będziemy mogli mówić o sukcesie w walce z kryzysem.
Debate: Tackling the economic impact of the COVID pandemic by focusing on investment, competitiveness and skills
Date: TUESDAY, 9 MARCH 2021
Speaker: Javi López
Political group: S-D
Country: Belgium
Language: ES

Sin embargo, la actual crisis económica se está alargando más de lo que podíamos prever hace un año. Por tanto, es fundamental que se prolongue la relajación de las reglas fiscales para que los Estados miembros sigan estimulando sus economías.  En este contexto, los socialistas damos la bienvenida al mantenimiento de la cláusula general de salvaguardia al menos en 2022 —anunciado recientemente por la Comisión—, al tiempo que incidimos en la necesidad de que tanto el BCE como la Comisión estén preparados para, si es necesario, dar un nuevo impulso a la política fiscal expansiva.
Debate: Tackling the economic impact of the COVID pandemic by focusing on investment, competitiveness and skills
Date: TUESDAY, 9 MARCH 2021
Speaker: Adriana Maldonado López
Political group: S-D
Country: Portugal
Language: ES

Sin embargo, la actual crisis económica se está alargando más de lo que podíamos prever hace un año. Por tanto, es fundamental que se prolongue la relajación de las reglas fiscales para que los Estados miembros sigan estimulando sus economías.  En este contexto, los socialistas damos la bienvenida al mantenimiento de la cláusula general de salvaguardia al menos en 2022 —anunciado recientemente por la Comisión—, al tiempo que incidimos en la necesidad de que tanto el BCE como la Comisión estén preparados para, si es necesario, dar un nuevo impulso a la política fiscal expansiva.
Debate: Tackling the economic impact of the COVID pandemic by focusing on investment, competitiveness and skills
Date: TUESDAY, 9 MARCH 2021
Speaker: Domènec Ruiz Devesa
Political group: S-D
Country: Malta
Language: ES

Sin embargo, la actual crisis económica se está alargando más de lo que podíamos prever hace un año. Por tanto, es fundamental que se prolongue la relajación de las reglas fiscales para que los Estados miembros sigan estimulando sus economías.  En este contexto, los socialistas damos la bienvenida al mantenimiento de la cláusula general de salvaguardia al menos en 2022 —anunciado recientemente por la Comisión—, al tiempo que incidimos en la necesidad de que tanto el BCE como la Comisión estén preparados para, si es necesario, dar un nuevo impulso a la política fiscal expansiva.
Debate: The current political situation in Georgia
Date: TUESDAY, 9 MARCH 2021
Speaker: Katarina Barley
Country: Germany
Language: DE

Als nächster Punkt der Tagesordnung folgt die Aussprache über die Erklärung des Vizepräsidenten der Kommission und Hohen Vertreters der Union für Außen- und Sicherheitspolitik zur gegenwärtigen politischen Lage in Georgien (
Debate: The current political situation in Georgia
Date: TUESDAY, 9 MARCH 2021
Speaker: Josep Borrell Fontelles
Language: EN

This situation risks undermining Georgia’s democracy. I repeat our strong view that it is now important for all parties to step up efforts to de-escalate the situation and come together to identify and agree on common ground. The President of the European Council has just visited Georgia and had the opportunity to meet with the President, the Prime Minister and the leaders of the main opposition parties. During this visit, he was engaged in discussions with his political parties and upon his return, in cooperation with the High Representative, he gave a mandate to a European Union civil servant, Mr Christian Danielsson, to engage in these EU-backed mediation efforts.  We look forward to seeing the Georgian parties’ progress with this urgent dialogue. We will follow this process closely. The head of the European Union delegation in Georgia will also facilitate these mediation efforts. All sides need to contribute to agreeing on a compromise, respect the government to provide inclusive leadership, putting the interests of the Georgian people first, and all actors need to refrain from provocative actions and rhetoric. In terms of the elements for progress, the European Union sees as priorities the consolidation of democracy, including electoral reform, political stability and an inclusive parliamentarian process. A fair, independent, yet accountable judiciary is also of paramount importance. These are prerequisites for Georgia to further deepen its partnership with the European Union in line with the Association Agreement. We will have an opportunity to assess progress soon when we meet in the Association Council with the Georgian Prime Minister on 16 March. This will be an important date and I sincerely hope that we can report on progress then.  No country can thrive in a situation of political crisis for long, and the Georgian political actors owe it to the Georgian people to offer a stable political context in which the country could recover from the covid pandemic to build back better and reap the potential benefits of our Association Agreement to the fullest. Along with President Michel, we will encourage all political actors in Georgia to commit fully to the dialogue in a constructive spirit and with a view to pursuing mutually agreeable outcomes in the interests of a stable, democratic and reform-oriented Georgia, able to successfully advance on its pro-European path.  We also supported Georgia’s reform efforts as well as the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country, within its internationally recognised borders and with peaceful conflict resolution. The work of the EU special representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia and the work of the European Union monitoring mission demonstrate this strong commitment. I also value the role of the European Parliament as a support for democracy in Georgia and look forward to closely cooperating on such opportunities.
Debate: The current political situation in Georgia
Date: TUESDAY, 9 MARCH 2021
Speaker: David McAllister
Political group: PPE
Country: Netherlands
Language: EN

Georgia is indeed facing numerous challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, economic development, social cohesion and security. Therefore, political leaders need to overcome this political crisis quickly and to find long—term solutions together. The way forward should include an ambitious electoral reform, a rule of law and court reform, also addressing politicised justice, power sharing in parliament, including the setting up of the investigative commission and potentially new elections, and also the preparation for the local elections planned for autumn this year. As the High Representative just mentioned, next week’s EU-Georgia Association Council in Brussels will hopefully state some progress that has been made in the dialogue. Let me wish the newly appointed envoy, Christian Danielsson, and also our EU Ambassador in Tbilisi, Carl Hartzell, and their teams all the best in overcoming the current political tensions in this great country.
Debate: The current political situation in Georgia
Date: TUESDAY, 9 MARCH 2021
Speaker: Sven Mikser
Political group: S-D
Country: Hungary
Language: EN

Secondly, I want to say that even when responding to provocative behaviour those in power must maintain cool heads and not act disproportionately or in a way that further inflames the situation. Thirdly, I believe it’s important that the six points the parties signed up to be addressed in a systemic and comprehensive manner, looking beyond the immediate crisis. This applies to the electoral reforms as well as the reform of the judiciary and the judicial appointments. And finally, it is important that the political differences and disagreements be sorted out in the format of democratic parliamentary debate. I call on all my colleagues to impress on their Georgian friends and interlocutors from across the political spectrum that they need to engage in a democratic parliamentary process and not sacrifice the legitimate aspirations of Georgian people to anyone’s short—term party political interests.
Debate: The current political situation in Georgia
Date: TUESDAY, 9 MARCH 2021
Speaker: Petras Auštrevičius
Political group: Renew
Country: Lithuania
Language: EN

Georgia can be commended for its open economy and structural reform efforts, but we cannot ignore a long list of work in progress in the political field. Georgia in political crisis cannot become a hostage of long and fruitless deliberations, as society demands continuous progress in fulfilling its pro-European ambitions. I welcome a timely visit of President Michel to Tbilisi and his personal engagement in search of a durable solution.  Either side of the conflict should not interpret his six-point plan, which includes the possibility of holding early elections, as carte blanche. Resolving such a severe political crisis requires involvement, compromise, mutual respect and full adherence to an agreement reached by both sides. Actors of the Georgian political system must understand that citizens’ trust in government and public institutions, the independent judiciary and the media, and the inclusive power-sharing, are key prerequisites for justifying Georgia’s European aspirations.
Debate: The current political situation in Georgia
Date: TUESDAY, 9 MARCH 2021
Speaker: Markéta Gregorová
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: France
Language: EN

Last year, Georgia was able to get out of the crisis, turn over a new leaf and get an electoral reform. And we helped. We were there. I am certain we can help again and Georgia can get back on track again, ensure further reforms to the electoral and judiciary system, let go of political prisoners, such as Mr Rurua, promised already by the agreement, and Mr Melia, and let citizens decide who represents them, in a fair system, without a shadow of a doubt about its fairness. But for that, we need to be there. We have to give more support and a stronger mandate to the team and our EU and national ambassadors there to help with mediation, send a supporting delegation. What President Michel began was a great step and the first step. Let’s follow up on what both he and we already did and help our neighbours. Dear colleagues, let’s help our friends.
Debate: The current political situation in Georgia
Date: TUESDAY, 9 MARCH 2021
Speaker: Anna Fotyga
Political group: ECR
Country: Denmark
Language: EN

Since June 2019, we have heard so much bad news coming from Tbilisi, probably with one exception, the agreement of 8 March of the previous year, marking an accord between the opposition and the government. Bad news culminated in the period after the elections, with the recent storming of the opposition party headquarters and the arbitrary detention of the leader. I hope for President Michel’s mediation. I strongly support the newly appointed EU Special Envoy to Tbilisi. We must all put the utmost effort into facilitating dialogue, probably leading to new inclusive elections.
Debate: The current political situation in Georgia
Date: TUESDAY, 9 MARCH 2021
Speaker: Fabio Massimo Castaldo
Political group: NI
Country: France
Language: IT

Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, signor Alto rappresentante, ripetere ancora una volta i problemi sociopolitici della Georgia risulterebbe senz'altro un esercizio vano e non orientato al perseguimento di un risultato concreto. Oggi dovremmo parlare di soluzioni, di come l'Unione possa assumere un ruolo di guida nell'apertura di una stagione di riforme democratiche nel paese. La regione del Caucaso ci ha già fornito drammatici esempi di come un vuoto, lasciato da un'Europa immobile, può essere riempito da altri attori geopolitici che giocano le proprie partite e, ovviamente, a farne le spese non possono che essere le popolazioni civili. Non possiamo lasciare che questo accada di nuovo. Vorrei pertanto esprimere il mio fermo e convinto sostegno al presidente del Consiglio europeo Charles Michel, a Lei, signor Alto rappresentante Borrell, per il suo impegno per favorire l'apertura di un negoziato tra le varie forze politiche basato su obiettivi concreti. Chiediamo alle forze di governo di sedersi al tavolo dei negoziati con spirito cooperativo; chiediamo di coinvolgere la società civile nel processo di riforme che si renderà necessario; chiediamo ancora che cessino immediatamente gli arresti basati su motivazioni politiche e l'immediato rilascio anche di Nick Melia. Dal rispetto di questi principi passa il futuro europeo della Georgia, le strade di Tbilisi sono tappezzate di bandiere dell'Unione: è tempo che i valori che esse rappresentano entrino a pieno titolo nel dibattito politico di Tbilisi stessa.
Debate: The current political situation in Georgia
Date: TUESDAY, 9 MARCH 2021
Speaker: Michael Gahler
Political group: PPE
Country: Spain
Language: DE

Frau Präsidentin, liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Die innenpolitische Konfrontation in Georgien gefährdet die demokratische Konsolidierung. Die Bürger des Landes drohen, das Vertrauen in die demokratischen Institutionen und in die gewählten Repräsentanten – in Regierung und Opposition – zu verlieren.  Wir haben ein starkes Interesse an einer Deeskalation und es ist gut, dass wir eine dichte Tagesordnung mit dem Land haben: Letzte Woche der Besuch von Charles Michel in Tiflis, nächste Woche der Assoziationsrat mit dem Ministerpräsidenten hier in Brüssel. Charles Michel hat alle Parteien an einen Tisch bekommen, und man hat sechs Punkte identifiziert – die Kollegen haben sie bereits erwähnt –, wo es nötig ist, dass alle Beteiligten einen Schritt aufeinander zugehen und zu Lösungen kommen.  Es geht nicht um kurzfristige taktische Vorteile für die eine oder andere Partei, sondern um die Rückkehr zu einem gemeinsamen Weg, der Richtung Europa führt. Wir möchten auch nicht, dass die entscheidenden Personen für Regierung und Opposition im Hintergrund oder aus dem Ausland agieren.  Ich bin überzeugt, dass wir mit der Ernennung von Christian Danielsson und mit unserem Botschafter Carl Hartzell vor Ort ein Dream-Team haben, die unseren Vermittlungswillen klarmachen, die Bedeutung klarmachen, die wir den Beziehungen zu Georgien beimessen. Ich bin auch überzeugt, dass sie einen wesentlichen Beitrag zu einer Lösung des Konflikts leisten werden.