unimelb-nlp/MultiEup-v2 huggingface dataset:
Debate: Commission Work Programme
Date: TUESDAY, 20 OCTOBER 2020
Speaker: Adriana Maldonado López
Political group: S-D
Country: Portugal
Language: ES

Como socialistas, incidimos en la necesidad que el plan de recuperación y el MFP no pueden paralizarse porque son cruciales para la recuperación económica. Además, la Unión Europea de la Salud es una urgencia que debe cumplirse correctamente. Debemos acelerar las transiciones digital y verde garantizando que sean justas, eficaces y duraderas. Saludamos el compromiso de la Comisión de presentar un plan de acción para garantizar la plena aplicación del pilar europeo de derechos sociales, pero necesitamos luchar contra la pobreza y proteger a los trabajadores europeos vulnerables a la transformación digital. La Unión Europea necesita una equidad fiscal en toda Europa y una flexibilidad en las reglas fiscales durante varios años; las medidas como el Régimen Europeo de Reaseguro de Desempleo, deben realmente implementarse.  Saldremos de esta crisis a través de la solidaridad: solidaridad entre personas, regiones y Estados miembros, con los migrantes que necesitan caminos seguros y legales. Luchando por nuestros valores: por una verdadera igualdad de género y Estado de Derecho.
Debate: Commission Work Programme
Date: TUESDAY, 20 OCTOBER 2020
Speaker: Domènec Ruiz Devesa
Political group: S-D
Country: Malta
Language: ES

Como socialistas, incidimos en la necesidad que el plan de recuperación y el MFP no pueden paralizarse porque son cruciales para la recuperación económica. Además, la Unión Europea de la Salud es una urgencia que debe cumplirse correctamente. Debemos acelerar las transiciones digital y verde garantizando que sean justas, eficaces y duraderas. Saludamos el compromiso de la Comisión de presentar un plan de acción para garantizar la plena aplicación del pilar europeo de derechos sociales, pero necesitamos luchar contra la pobreza y proteger a los trabajadores europeos vulnerables a la transformación digital. La Unión Europea necesita una equidad fiscal en toda Europa y una flexibilidad en las reglas fiscales durante varios años; las medidas como el Régimen Europeo de Reaseguro de Desempleo, deben realmente implementarse.  Saldremos de esta crisis a través de la solidaridad: solidaridad entre personas, regiones y Estados miembros, con los migrantes que necesitan caminos seguros y legales. Luchando por nuestros valores: por una verdadera igualdad de género y Estado de Derecho.
Debate: Commission Work Programme
Date: TUESDAY, 20 OCTOBER 2020
Speaker: Nacho Sánchez Amor
Political group: S-D
Country: Poland
Language: ES

Como socialistas, incidimos en la necesidad que el plan de recuperación y el MFP no pueden paralizarse porque son cruciales para la recuperación económica. Además, la Unión Europea de la Salud es una urgencia que debe cumplirse correctamente. Debemos acelerar las transiciones digital y verde garantizando que sean justas, eficaces y duraderas. Saludamos el compromiso de la Comisión de presentar un plan de acción para garantizar la plena aplicación del pilar europeo de derechos sociales, pero necesitamos luchar contra la pobreza y proteger a los trabajadores europeos vulnerables a la transformación digital. La Unión Europea necesita una equidad fiscal en toda Europa y una flexibilidad en las reglas fiscales durante varios años; las medidas como el Régimen Europeo de Reaseguro de Desempleo, deben realmente implementarse.  Saldremos de esta crisis a través de la solidaridad: solidaridad entre personas, regiones y Estados miembros, con los migrantes que necesitan caminos seguros y legales. Luchando por nuestros valores: por una verdadera igualdad de género y Estado de Derecho.
Debate: Commission Work Programme
Date: TUESDAY, 20 OCTOBER 2020
Speaker: Isabel Santos
Political group: S-D
Country: Hungary
Language: PT

Saúdo especialmente o anúncio da apresentação de uma comunicação sobre a renovação da Parceria com a Vizinhança Meridional. Este documento é aguardado com grande expectativa, especialmente devido aos inúmeros problemas e situação dramática pela qual estão a passar alguns dos países desta região. Como Presidente da Delegação UE—Maxereque tenho acompanhado de perto os desenvolvimentos nestes países. Desde guerras, crises políticas, situações humanitárias gravíssimas, acidentes trágicos, entre outros, estas nações têm estado expostas a mais do que conseguem suportar. É por isso fundamental que esta comunicação possa ser um sinal da vontade e disponibilidade da União Europeia em reforçar a sua cooperação com a região e contribuir de forma concreta para a Paz, Democracia e respeito pelos Direitos Humanos destas populações, que estão tão próximas da Europa, mas que, quase sempre, parecem estar tão longe de nós.
Debate: Recommendation to the Council, the Commission and the VPC/HR on relations with Belarus
Date: TUESDAY, 20 OCTOBER 2020
Speaker: Katarina Barley
Country: Germany
Language: DE

Als nächster Punkt der Tagesordnung folgt die Aussprache über den Bericht von Petras Auštrevičius im Namen des Ausschusses für auswärtige Angelegenheiten über eine Empfehlung des Europäischen Parlaments an den Rat, die Kommission und den Vizepräsidenten der Kommission/Hohen Vertreter der Union für Außen- und Sicherheitspolitik zu den Beziehungen mit Belarus ( Auch bei dieser Aussprache können weder spontane Wortmeldungen noch blaue Karten oder Wortmeldungen zur Geschäftsordnung akzeptiert werden. Außerdem sind Online-Wortmeldungen aus den Verbindungsbüros des Parlaments in den Mitgliedstaaten vorgesehen.
Debate: Recommendation to the Council, the Commission and the VPC/HR on relations with Belarus
Date: TUESDAY, 20 OCTOBER 2020
Speaker: Petras Auštrevičius
Country: Lithuania
Language: EN

The Belarusian people are fighting for their freedom and dignity, for their right to free and fair election and their right to have a say in the matters determining the future of their country. They seek to break free from Lukashenko’s 26 years-long dictatorship. Their brave and inspiring actions require three simple actions from our side: solidarity, support and sanctions. Together with colleagues, we have made sure that this recommendation report to the Council and Commission and the High Representative would guide the European Union’s policy towards Belarus accordingly.  We listened and heard Belarusian people, who are not like their former President, are forward looking. They want to live in a free, democratic and prosperous country. The main demand of the Belarusian people is to halt violence against peaceful protests, to organise new, free and fair elections and release all detained protesters and political prisoners. Our answer must be loud and clear. All violence must stop, everyone detained for political reasons must be immediately released and those responsible have to be brought to justice. The new election has to be held as soon as possible and in compliance with international standards and supervision of the OSCE. The Coordination Council initiated by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, President-elect according to the Belarusian people, should be recognised as the legitimate representative of the Belarusian people and supported in its efforts to start a dialogue with the regime, for the sake of peaceful and democratic transition of power.  The EU-imposed sanctions against the main culprits must be extended. The sanctions list has to include Alexander Lukashenko and go beyond his closest environment. Our support, including the financial one, should go directly to the Belarusian people. The EU must also think about a comprehensive programme for Belarus to invigorate its economy after the new presidential elections are held. The EU-Eastern Partnership programme has all tools and expertise to help Belarus to modernise and diversify its economy and fight corruption, among other things. In addition to applying pressure to the Belarusian regime over human rights violations, the European Union has to be alert regarding the launch of the unsafe Astravets Nuclear Power Plant this November. Nuclear dictatorship of Lukashenko presents a major threat to the security of Europeans.  People on the streets of Belarus have spoken. Now it’s time for us to show our understanding, support and action.
Debate: Recommendation to the Council, the Commission and the VPC/HR on relations with Belarus
Date: TUESDAY, 20 OCTOBER 2020
Speaker: Andrius Kubilius
Political group: PPE
Country: France
Language: EN

As we know, the people of Belarus have, for 10 weeks in a row, been continuing their protests. The European Parliament, along with all other EU institutions, has until now shown clear and very dynamic political leadership in support of the Belarusian people. Indeed, Parliament President David Sassoli was the first to invite Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya to visit Brussels. This was a very important visit, which was followed by other high-level meetings. Today, we need to ask ourselves: what else can we do, in practical terms, as Parliament, as Members of this House? I have three brief ideas. First, without further delay, by decision of the leadership of Parliament, let’s create a high-level Belarusian mission of former presidents and prime ministers, as was done with the Kwaśniewski-Cox mission to Ukraine. In this way, we can consolidate our position within the EU and increase pressure not only on Lukashenko, but also on Putin. Second, let’s join our efforts with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s headquarters and let’s assist them in establishing information centres here in Brussels, and maybe later on in other capitals.  Third, together with proper pro-democracy foundations, let’s establish a special centre for the international investigation of OMON crimes, with a mandate to collect evidence and assist with legal expertise at the start of individual criminal cases.  Those are just a few ideas of what we can do. We, and the whole EU, can do much more! Let’s continue to stand together with the people of Belarus, and
Debate: Recommendation to the Council, the Commission and the VPC/HR on relations with Belarus
Date: TUESDAY, 20 OCTOBER 2020
Speaker: Tonino Picula
Political group: S-D
Country: France
Language: EN

This is why the European Union must move from critical engagement to critical reassessment. To start with, European Union financial assistance must solely benefit civil society. We in the S&D Group also want to support the victims of repression, offer help to deal with the socio-economic consequences of the Covid—19 pandemic, and also continue to engage with the people, no matter what their walk of life. We fully support the extended list of sanctions that now includes Lukashenko too. A business as usual approach has not worked in this case for a long time now. To conclude, we call on the European Union to reflect upon its approach to the Eastern Partnership countries that violate the joint commitments on democracy, the rule of law, fundamental freedoms and human rights. The European Union must take responsibility for the promise of security and prosperity in the common neighbourhood.
Debate: Recommendation to the Council, the Commission and the VPC/HR on relations with Belarus
Date: TUESDAY, 20 OCTOBER 2020
Speaker: Thierry Mariani
Political group: ID
Country: Croatia
Language: FR

Une diplomatie forte avec les faibles et faible avec les forts est une diplomatie impuissante: c’est ce que nous sommes. Je n’ai pas varié en ce qui concerne le Bélarus: il faut le calme à Minsk, favoriser le dialogue entre les différentes parties et le retour au calme. Je voudrais quand même m’attarder sur un élément étonnant du rapport: l’Union européenne prétend connaître les résultats du scrutin présidentiel grâce à une enquête sociologique réalisée sur une plateforme internet. Ces méthodes me semblent extrêmement dangereuses pour la démocratie. Si l’Union européenne se fonde désormais sur des enquêtes sociologiques et des affirmations aussi vides de sens pour reconnaître des scrutins, qu’en sera-t-il demain des scrutins? Qui nous dit que, demain, on n’appliquerait pas ce principe pour les élections en Pologne? Nous avons reconnu, au Venezuela, l’élection de Juan Guaidó; depuis, nous sommes dans une impasse. Monsieur Borrell, ne sommes-nous pas en train de faire la même chose? À vouloir reconnaître absolument l’élection de l’opposante, ne sommes-nous pas dans une impasse et ne nous excluons-nous pas des prochaines discussions?
Debate: Recommendation to the Council, the Commission and the VPC/HR on relations with Belarus
Date: TUESDAY, 20 OCTOBER 2020
Speaker: Viola Von Cramon-Taubadel
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: Ireland
Language: EN

Enough with debates, let’s take actions. First, the sanctions list has to be updated and extended by everyone who executes Lukashenko’s orders. We should also include those in the list who spread misinformation and propaganda from Russia. Second, those athletes, scientists, students, doctors, IT specialists, should immediately be given Schengen visas and get the opportunity to work here in the European Union. Third, all brutal regimes come to an end and Lukashenko’s dictatorship is no exception. We should be prepared for peaceful transfer of power and already now pledge financial assistance to a post—Lukashenko democratic government. This will send a signal to the people of Belarus that the EU stands with them. In this process, Parliament here should take the lead. Lastly, the source of Lukashenko’s power is President Putin. The dictator can only afford to oppress his own people because he remains useful to the Kremlin. You cannot expect Putin to change; he will not become a reliable partner of the European Union. Instead, we should take decisive measures and send a clear sign that oppressing, annexing, occupying, poisoning, will not be tolerated by the European Union.
Debate: Recommendation to the Council, the Commission and the VPC/HR on relations with Belarus
Date: TUESDAY, 20 OCTOBER 2020
Speaker: Idoia Villanueva Ruiz
Political group: GUE/NGL
Country: Czechia
Language: ES

Nosotras siempre defenderemos el derecho de cualquier persona, en cualquier lugar, a la protesta contra los abusos, siempre ligado a la exigencia de que cada pueblo es soberano para determinar su destino sin injerencias externas. Por esta razón no toleramos ni subordinar los derechos humanos ni la democracia a intereses geopolíticos ni invocarlos selectivamente para un país sí y para otro no. En esta semana celebramos precisamente el triunfo del pueblo boliviano, pese a un golpe de Estado de más de un año y múltiples impedimentos. Y miramos con esperanza el plebiscito de Chile, conseguido precisamente por las movilizaciones populares. Necesitamos en Bielorrusia, como en otros países en conflicto, más que nunca, diálogo y diplomacia, evitar una escalada mayor, exigiendo parar las detenciones inmediatas, pero también injerencias interesadas.
Debate: Recommendation to the Council, the Commission and the VPC/HR on relations with Belarus
Date: TUESDAY, 20 OCTOBER 2020
Speaker: Andrzej Halicki
Political group: PPE
Country: Finland
Language: PL

Pani Przewodnicząca! Naród białoruski czeka na silny głos europejski, na silny głos europejskiego wsparcia i solidarności, protestując na ulicach miast, protestując od ponad 10 tygodni. To setki tysięcy ludzi. Ta determinacja nie ustaje. Żądają wolności i demokracji. Są tak zjednoczeni jak nigdy, tak jak my zjednoczeni na tej sali, wyrażając solidarność. Nie uznajemy sfałszowanych wyborów. Żądamy wypuszczenia więźniów politycznych, tworzymy listę sankcji, ale to stanowczo za mało.  Musimy działać aktywniej, musimy działać szybciej. I rzeczywiście mamy do tego narzędzia. Białorusini czekają na tę naszą aktywność, czekają na wsparcie i pomoc. I to nie jest tylko lista sankcji, na której powinien się znaleźć nie tylko Alaksandr Łukaszenka, ale setki oprawców z OMON-u, którzy biją niewinnych ludzi. Mamy także narzędzia, by uruchomić misję dyplomatyczną, misję na wysokim szczeblu, która pomoże rozwiązać ten konflikt w sposób polityczny. Pomoże też Komisji Europejskiej w tym zadaniu, pracując dzień po dniu, współpracując z Komisją Koordynacyjną. Bądźmy bardziej aktywni – powiem jeszcze raz na koniec. Wierzę, że Białorusini swój cel osiągną – będzie wolna i demokratyczna Białoruś. Żywie Biełaruś!
Debate: Recommendation to the Council, the Commission and the VPC/HR on relations with Belarus
Date: TUESDAY, 20 OCTOBER 2020
Speaker: Kati Piri
Political group: S-D
Language: EN

Madam President, for the tenth weekend in a row, the Belarusian people have gone out into the streets to protest against their illegitimate government, to protest against the violence and repression, and to let their voice for freedom be heard – all this despite threats from the police to fire with live ammunition. To the brave people of Belarus, let me make this very clear: the European Parliament will not rest until your legitimate demands for free and fair elections are fully implemented, political prisoners are freed and justice is served to all those guilty of torture and repression. This illegitimate president must step down today.  High Representative, continued relations with the Belarusian authorities is an imperative ‘NO’ under the present circumstances. Our relations must only be with the Belarusian people. The Council decision to finally implement sanctions against Lukashenko is a much-needed first step and the Belarusian people need us to urgently step up. I call on you to ensure a meaningful international coordination of sanctions, to redirect any EU funding away from the regime and to suspend negotiations over partnership priorities until a legitimate government is in place. Above all, the EU must not turn up empty-handed. We must provide any support necessary for the country’s democratic transition, in line with its citizens’ aspirations.
Debate: Recommendation to the Council, the Commission and the VPC/HR on relations with Belarus
Date: TUESDAY, 20 OCTOBER 2020
Speaker: Isabel Wiseler-Lima
Political group: PPE
Country: Czechia
Language: FR

Madame la Présidente, cher Bélarus, nous avions promis de ne pas nous laisser distraire par l’actualité, de rester fidèles, de maintenir notre soutien à votre formidable engagement sans faille ni peur, à votre dévouement pour une transition démocratique qui fait fi des brutalités, arrestations et jusqu’aux tortures. Nous tenons parole. Vous voilà de nouveau, et aussi longtemps que nécessaire, dans les débats de la séance plénière du Parlement européen. Des sanctions ont été prises contre les officiels responsables de la répression et de l’intimidation contre les manifestants pacifiques, contre les membres de l’opposition et contre les journalistes. Loukachenko, finalement, se retrouve également sur cette liste – il aurait d’ailleurs dû y être depuis le début –, liste qui doit encore être allongée. Monsieur le Haut-représentant, l’impunité doit être combattue. Il faut faire plus pour la combattre et je veux, dans ce contexte, saluer la décision de créer un  Enfin, je veux souligner que la nomination de l’opposition bélarusse, dont Svetlana Tikhanovskaïa, pour le prix Sakharov est un signe fort de soutien du Parlement européen.
Debate: Recommendation to the Council, the Commission and the VPC/HR on relations with Belarus
Date: TUESDAY, 20 OCTOBER 2020
Speaker: Miriam Lexmann
Political group: PPE
Country: Spain
Language: EN

Madam President, I welcome the report drafted by Petras Auštrevičius, and I want to say a special ‘thank you’ to Petras and his team for working closely with all of us across the political groups to draft this very timely report. The situation in Belarus remains worrying. The regime continues to engage in repressions and the number of political prisoners is growing, while brave Belarusians are defying the regime’s brutality and expressing their desire to live in a free, democratic and sovereign Belarus. I welcome the fact that the Council has finally adopted targeted sanctions against those responsible for the repressions in Belarus. I also hope for the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime to be adopted as soon as possible so that the EU is better equipped to stand up to those who suppress people’s rights and liberties not just in Belarus, but globally. Finally, let me also state strongly that the European Commission must ensure that no financial assistance is given to the Lukashenko regime, and that the adopted EUR 50 million and future finances must instead be used to support the people of Belarus.  The European Union must stand with the people of Belarus, and support their aspirations to live in a free, democratic, prosperous and sovereign Belarus.
Debate: Recommendation to the Council, the Commission and the VPC/HR on relations with Belarus
Date: TUESDAY, 20 OCTOBER 2020
Speaker: Josep Borrell Fontelles
Language: EN

The only way out of this situation is to hold free and fair elections. It means repeating the elections and the support of this Parliament would be vital for this effort. We have been witnessing on the streets of Belarus, in Minsk and other cities, unprecedented levels of repression for the last two months. We do not recognise the result of these elections but unhappily the Belarusian authorities have not accepted any kind of international offer of mediation. We would be very happy to send an observation mission to Belarus but for that we need to have the agreement of the government and for the time being, believe me, all of our efforts have been completely useless.  I am not negotiating or in touch with the Belarusian authorities. I have just made a couple of phone calls trying to express our concern and asking what would be the prospects for the Belarusian Government to accept an OSCE mission. The answer – keep in mind that the next president of the OSCE in office about activities of this kind will be my colleague the Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs – but unhappily, the answer was completely a negative one.  Finally, let me also stress that we are not going to do that as a geopolitical issue, as some Members were worried about. No, it’s not a matter of the Belarusian people having to choose between one side or another. It’s a matter of the Belarusian people being able to have a political regime that ensures their human rights and to behave and to live in a democratic system that respects their political will. This is what it is all about and I once again thank the rapporteur and the people who have been helping him with this work.  I know there are issues that Mr Auštrevičius mentioned on nuclear safety cooperation. I would like to answer precisely this specific question and inform you that in the Council conclusions of 12 October we already stressed the importance of this issue and we urged Belarus to comply with the standards and environmental safety of the European Union and to follow the European Union recommendations in this field without delay. In this regard, technical cooperation among the European Union Member States and Belarusian nuclear safety regulators remains of utmost importance for implementing, reviewing and monitoring an ordered implementation of our standards.