unimelb-nlp/MultiEup-v2 huggingface dataset:
Debate: Report on Albania
Date: TUESDAY, 11 JULY 2023
Speaker: Angel Dzhambazki
Political group: ECR
Country: Germany
Language: BG

Често нашата приятелска държава Албания се разглежда в пакет със Северна Македония и страната често е жертва на липсата на прогрес в нейната източна съседка, а тази липса на прогрес се дължи, разбира се, на нежеланието на властите в Скопие да изпълнят защитата по човешките права, но това е друга тема. Когато това се е случвало, винаги сме посочвали, че общото разглеждане на двете кандидатури е несправедливо.  Въпреки това Албания трябва да продължи реформите в областта на основните права, върховенството на закона и правосъдието, за да постигне бърз напредък по пътя си към Европейския съюз. Плановете за фискална амнистия, които биха позволили до 2 милиона евро да бъдат депозирани в албанската банкова сметка, без да бъде разкриван произхода на средствата, дават основание за тревога. Албания може и трябва да докаже, че не може да бъде подозирана за център на някакви сиви сделки в Европа и Албания и Тирана трябва ясно да покаже, че е решена да се справи с този проблем и не позволява чрез въпрос за нови политики страната да бъде параван за незаконна дейност. Само бързи реформи и решителни стъпки в борбата с корупцията и организираната престъпност ще доведат до бързо завършване на преговорния процес.  Посоката на признаването на правата и законните интереси на малцинствата в Албания, включително българското такова, е правилна и заслужава поздравления. В края на деня Албания заслужава да бъде член на Европейския съюз, тъй като завърши своето домашно, тъй като подкрепя общоевропейските политики, и тъй като в края на краищата споделя това, което дори човек като мен разбира като европейски ценности. Така че на добър час на Албания в преговорите с Европейския съюз.
Debate: Report on Albania
Date: TUESDAY, 11 JULY 2023
Speaker: Anna Bonfrisco
Political group: ID
Country: Belgium
Language: IT

Attraverso il suo abile ambasciatore alle Nazioni Unite, in questi due anni di presenza nel Consiglio di Sicurezza ha affrontato nel più alto consesso del mondo del multilateralismo rivalità geopolitiche sempre più accentuate e instabili. L'Albania ha dimostrato come un piccolo paese possa influenzare molto al di sopra del suo peso ed essere in prima linea sulle questioni che contano, contribuendo efficacemente a mantenere la bussola morale che la Russia ha perso ormai da tempo. Il suo contributo alla NATO è per noi sempre più prezioso.  L'importanza di questo volto più moderno dell'Albania è utile prima di tutto agli amici albanesi per costruire partenariati più forti e nuovi meccanismi di cooperazione nella regione dei Balcani, in Europa e nel mondo. L'Europa ha bisogno dei Balcani e i Balcani hanno bisogno dell'Europa. L'Italia ha nella sua fratellanza storica con l'Albania il compito di sostenere sempre di più il processo virtuoso di due paesi che condividono un mare. Grazie a Lei, Commissario Várhelyi, e grazie alla relatrice Santos per il lavoro che fate e che farete.
Debate: Report on Albania
Date: TUESDAY, 11 JULY 2023
Speaker: Fabio Massimo Castaldo
Political group: NI
Country: France
Language: EN

Madam President, Commissioner, dear colleagues, in 2022, after regrettable delays, we finally have reached a significant milestone with the official start of the accession talks and acknowledgment of the remarkable progress Albania has made in advancing the EU reform agenda. Tirana has consistently demonstrated unwavering commitment to EU integration, both in the political and the public domain. I commend the report for acknowledging this dedication, while also highlighting areas that require further attention and efforts, particularly the fight against corruption and media freedom.  Dear colleagues, recent events, especially the criminal aggression in Ukraine, have emphasised once again an obvious truth – strength lies in unity. Now more than ever, the completion of the EU enlargement in the Western Balkans has become a strategic priority for the future of our Union.  It is not by chance that the candidate countries, including Albania, have been particularly targeted by Russian disinformation and hybrid attacks. We have demonstrated in practice, and not just in words, our resolute commitment to enlargement, avoiding further factious delays that undermine our credibility and frustrate our partners.  Although significant work remains to be done, Albania is undoubtedly on the right track. I urge them to keep delivering on the necessary reforms foreseen and our Union, especially the Member States, to recognise and reward their efforts in the critical years of negotiation ahead.
Debate: Report on Albania
Date: TUESDAY, 11 JULY 2023
Speaker: Manolis Kefalogiannis
Political group: PPE
Country: Czechia
Language: EL

Κυρία Πρόεδρε, κυρίες και κύριοι συνάδελφοι, πέρα από κάθε αμφιβολία, η θέση της Αλβανίας είναι στον σκληρό πυρήνα της ευρωπαϊκής οικογένειας. Όμως από το βήμα του Ευρωπαϊκού Κοινοβουλίου θέλω να εκφράσω τη βαθιά μου ανησυχία για τη σύλληψη του εκλεγέντα δημάρχου Χειμάρρας Φρέντι Μπελέρη τις παραμονές των δημοτικών εκλογών στην Αλβανία και τη συνεχιζόμενη προφυλάκισή του, που παραβιάζει το τεκμήριο της αθωότητας και απαγορεύει σε αυτόν να αναλάβει τα καθήκοντά του ως εκλεγμένος δήμαρχος. Επίσης θέλω να τονίσω ότι το συγκεκριμένο θέμα είναι συνδεδεμένο απόλυτα με τον σεβασμό των θεμελιωδών δικαιωμάτων, με το περιουσιακό ζήτημα της ελληνικής μειονότητας στον δήμο της Χειμάρρας και με τις κατηγορίες για παράνομες απαλλοτριώσεις από τις αλβανικές αρχές. Η υπόθεση Φρέντι Μπελέρη αποτελεί χτύπημα στο κράτος δικαίου και στην προσπάθεια που κάνει η Αλβανία να συμμορφωθεί με το ευρωπαϊκό κεκτημένο. Περιμένουμε την άμεση απελευθέρωση του μοναδικού μειονοτικού δημάρχου, του δήμαρχου Χειμάρρας Φρέντι Μπελέρη.
Debate: Report on Albania
Date: TUESDAY, 11 JULY 2023
Speaker: Andreas Schieder
Political group: S-D
Country: Germany
Language: DE

Frau Präsidentin! Albanien steht besser da, als es noch vor einigen Jahren dagestanden ist. Und da muss man gar nicht das Albanien von heute vergleichen mit dem Albanien, das ich vorgefunden habe, als ich in den 90er-Jahren das erste Mal auch dort gewesen bin. Im letzten Jahrzehnt sind irrsinnig viele Reformen in dem Land passiert, umgesetzt worden, angestoßen worden – die Bürokratiereform, die Rechtsstaatsreform, die Justizreform, der Kampf gegen Korruption, aber auch im Kleinen, wie z. B. in der Stadt Tirana, die einfach stadtentwicklungsmäßig eine Stadt ist, die durch ganz konkrete Maßnahmen sehr viel auch an Lebensqualität gewonnen hat. Wenn man das so sagt, dann stellt sich natürlich die Frage: Ist alles im Guten? Nein. In Albanien müssen noch viele weitere Reformen kommen. Die ökologische Frage, die Klimafrage, die Nachhaltigkeitsfrage sind auch große Themen, genauso wie auch Arbeitsrecht und Gewerkschaften. Aber eins muss man sagen: Es zeigt sich, dass die Zusammenarbeit mit Albanien gerade im Zusammenhang mit der Erweiterung dort wichtige Reformen professionell und gut voranbringt.
Debate: Report on Albania
Date: TUESDAY, 11 JULY 2023
Speaker: Vlad-Marius Botoş
Political group: Renew
Country: Germany
Language: RO

Doamna președintă, stimați colegi, Albania tinde spre un regim politic stabil și este o democrație europeană. Există încă probleme care trebuie abordate și îmbunătățiri care trebuie făcute, dar este clar că țara s-a angajat să devină o democrație puternică. Sigur că este nevoie de o mai mare deschidere a procesului electoral pentru a permite accesul partidelor politice mici la luarea deciziilor. În felul acesta, cetățenii țării vor fi încurajați să se implice, să-și aducă contribuția la modernizarea Albaniei. Este nevoie și de o presă liberă care să poată semnala devierile de la valorile democratice, fără să se teamă de consecințe. Toate acestea, însă nu sunt de natură să ne împiedice să recunoaștem că este momentul ca Albania să fie membră a Uniunii Europene. Trebuie să depășim momentul în care parcă Uniunea Europeană este înghețată de temerile partidelor extremiste, care resping orice deschidere și orice nouă adeziune. Am început un proces de aderare pe care ambele părți trebuie să-l respecte și cred cu tărie că este timpul ca Albania să fie parte din marea noastră familie a Uniunii Europene.
Debate: Report on Albania
Date: TUESDAY, 11 JULY 2023
Speaker: Emmanouil Fragkos
Political group: ECR
Country: Denmark
Language: EL

Κυρία Πρόεδρε, από αρχαιοτάτων χρόνων η Βόρεια Ήπειρος είναι γη ελληνική. Η Χειμάρρα, παρά τις ελληνοφοβικές επιθέσεις της Αλβανίας, είναι μέρος της Βόρειας Ηπείρου. Το έγκλημα του Φρέντη Μπελέρη ήταν ότι απέδειξε το αυταπόδεικτο, ότι και η Χειμάρρα είναι γη ελληνική. Το Πρωτόκολλο της Κέρκυρας δεν ίσχυσε ποτέ, δεν ακυρώθηκε και ποτέ όμως. Άρα η Αλβανία οφείλει να φέρεται στην ελληνική εθνική μειονότητα της Βόρειας Ηπείρου με σεβασμό. Ας το καταλάβουν κάποιοι καλά. Ο δρόμος της Αλβανίας προς την Ευρώπη περνά από την Κορυτσά, από τους Αγίους Σαράντα και από τη Χειμάρρα. Εμείς ακούμε τους Βορειοηπειρώτες μας και λέμε «όχι η Αλβανία στην Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση». Μέχρι να απελευθερωθεί ο Φρέντης Μπελέρης, δεν πρέπει καν να σκέφτονται την Ευρώπη. Μέχρι να αναλάβει πλήρως καθήκοντα δημάρχου, καλούμε την Ευρώπη να επιβάλει αυστηρότατες οικονομικές κυρώσεις στην Αλβανία, διότι αυτή τη στιγμή βρίσκεται πιο κοντά στην Τουρκία παρά στην Ευρώπη. Σας ευχαριστώ.
Debate: Report on Albania
Date: TUESDAY, 11 JULY 2023
Speaker: Dominique Bilde
Political group: ID
Country: Germany
Language: FR

Madame la Présidente, Monsieur le Commissaire, ce rapport sur l’Albanie est d’une incohérence évidente. Ce pays frappe donc aux portes de l’Union européenne contre espèces sonnantes et trébuchantes, puisque 758 millions d’euros lui ont été alloués entre 2014 et 2020 au seul titre de l’instrument d’aide à la préadhésion. Pourtant, entre 2010 et 2019, plus de 193 000 Albanais ont demandé l’asile dans l’Union européenne pour des motifs qui faisaient particulièrement froid dans le dos – de la vendetta au trafic humain – afin d’être considérés comme réfugiés. L’année dernière, les mêmes Albanais grossissaient les rangs des embarcations de fortune traversant la Manche avant que Rishi Sunak n’y mette bon ordre. Est-ce là le niveau d’un futur État membre? J’ajoute qu’avec un salaire minimum tournant autour de 360 euros, l’Albanie représente une concurrence féroce, par exemple dans le secteur de l’habillement, et ce à l’heure où la Commission prétend dérouler pour cette filière une stratégie de durabilité et qu’une production locale renaît timidement de ses cendres dans ma région lorraine, en France. Je suis donc farouchement opposée à tout élargissement qui serait une aberration économique et civilisationnelle.
Debate: Report on Albania
Date: TUESDAY, 11 JULY 2023
Speaker: Javier Zarzalejos
Political group: PPE
Country: Croatia
Language: ES

Señora presidenta, señor comisario, creo que tenemos que expresar nuestra satisfacción por los avances que se han registrado en Albania para acercar esa perspectiva europea y, finalmente, su incorporación a la Unión como desean los albaneses. Pero sabemos que este proceso exige esfuerzos, exige compromisos firmes, y no podemos ocultar que existen también grandes déficits en lo que se refiere a organización institucional, Estado de Derecho, legislación electoral, policía, justicia y libertades de expresión y de manifestación. Estos déficits parece que se han hecho visibles en una reciente operación policial contra el principal grupo de oposición iraní en el exilio, asentado en Albania, después de un acuerdo negociado con las autoridades albanesas. Una operación masiva de utilización injustificada de fuerza. No se trata de eximir a nadie del cumplimiento de la ley, porque una cosa es hacer cumplir la ley y otra muy distinta es regalar un éxito político al régimen brutalmente represor de Irán. Creo que, lamentablemente, esto último es lo que ha ocurrido.
Debate: Report on Albania
Date: TUESDAY, 11 JULY 2023
Speaker: Nikos Papandreou
Political group: S-D
Language: EL

Κυρία Πρόεδρε, κυρίες και κύριοι συνάδελφοι, προσφάτως είχα την τύχη να επισκεφθώ την Αλβανία ως μέλος της ομάδας επιτήρησης των δημοτικών εκλογών. Ναι, ήταν ομαλή η διαδικασία. Ναι, συμφωνώ με αυτά που είπε ο Επίτροπος και η κ. Σάντος· έχει προχωρήσει η Αλβανία, αλλά σε κάτι έχει μείνει πάρα πολύ πίσω: Δεν μπορεί δύο ημέρες πριν τις εθνικές εκλογές να βάζει στη φυλακή μια σειρά από δημάρχους, μεταξύ άλλων τον πολύ ευαίσθητο για μας δήμαρχο της Χειμάρρας, τον Φρέντι Μπελέρη. Εκλέχτηκε τελικά μέσα από τις φυλακές. Ζητάμε την αποφυλάκισή του, εάν θέλει η Αλβανία να έχει τη στήριξη της Ελλάδας και όλων μας στην προσπάθεια να φτάσει στην Ευρώπη το ’20 και το ’30 —και το ευχόμαστε. Θέλουμε να μπούνε όλα τα Δυτικά Βαλκάνια κάποια στιγμή. Πρέπει όσο το δυνατόν συντομότερα να τηρήσει τους κανόνες του κράτους δικαίου, να εφαρμόσει τα κεφάλαια 23 και 24 και τότε θα έχει και το χειροκρότημά μας.
Debate: Report on Albania
Date: TUESDAY, 11 JULY 2023
Speaker: Georgios Kyrtsos
Political group: Renew
Country: Germany
Language: EL

Κυρία Πρόεδρε, πρέπει να σας πω ότι δεν συμμερίζομαι την αισιοδοξία των περισσότερων συναδέλφων. Κατά την άποψή μου, το μεγαλύτερο εμπόδιο στην ένταξη της Αλβανίας, όπως και άλλων χωρών των Δυτικών Βαλκανίων, στην Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση, είναι η δημιουργία προσωποπαγών καθεστώτων που ελέγχουν ασφυκτικά τον δημόσιο βίο. Ο Ράμα, που θυμίζει Βούτσιτς στην εσωτερική πολιτική, ευτυχώς όχι στην εξωτερική, ελέγχει τα ΜΜΕ, επιθυμεί έλεγχο στη δικαιοσύνη αντικαθιστώντας τον έλεγχο που είχε ο Μπερίσα, χειρίζεται θέματα της ελληνικής μειονότητας, όπως του Μπελέρη, χωρίς σεβασμό στα δικαιώματά της, έχει δημιουργήσει μια συμμαχία συμφερόντων που ελέγχει την οικονομία της χώρας, ανέχεται τον ρόλο του οργανωμένου εγκλήματος. Η Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση δεν πρέπει να συμβιβαστεί με αυτές τις πρακτικές, ορισμένες από τις οποίες κερδίζουν έδαφος και σε κράτη μέλη. Με προβληματίζει, για παράδειγμα, ότι η ετήσια έκθεση των Δημοσιογράφων Χωρίς Σύνορα αξιολογεί το επίπεδο της ελευθερίας των μέσων ενημέρωσης στην Ελλάδα λίγο χειρότερα από το πολύ χαμηλό της Αλβανίας. Συμφωνώ, η διεύρυνση είναι αναγκαία από στρατηγική άποψη, αλλά περνά υποχρεωτικά από τον εκδημοκρατισμό και τον σεβασμό του κράτους δικαίου, χωρίς εκπτώσεις.
Debate: Report on Albania
Date: TUESDAY, 11 JULY 2023
Speaker: Mick Wallace
Political group: The Left
Country: Germany
Language: EN

Madam President,  there is a paternalistic logic underpinning accession to the EU: supposedly ‘primitive’ countries must catch up to the more advanced’ Western European countries and incorporate EU values.  These Commission reports talk about a fantasy world where Western interference is erased. Corruption, abysmal social safety nets, crumbling infrastructure and inequality of outcome must be addressed, but let’s not talk about the string of leaders vetted by the West who allowed the market to rip through Albania’s most valuable assets, who scrapped laws that protected workers rights and social security programmes, who prioritised the foreign direct investment that crushed local industry and facilitated what can only be called the theft of state properties that went to Western investors for a pittance!  The drive towards accession in the aftermath of the pillage drives politics in Albania in just one direction. There is no vision, there is endless vague talk of corruption while no one addresses the plight of the people or wealth redistribution. Dissatisfaction and protests are growing.
Debate: Report on Albania
Date: TUESDAY, 11 JULY 2023
Speaker: Olivér Várhelyi
Language: EN

I think that we all need to welcome the tremendous support rendered by the European Parliament for Albania’s EU integration and also for the ongoing accession negotiations. As announced, we are planning to finish all the screening sessions by November this year and we are looking forward to the next steps.  The future of this country surely belongs to the European Union, and I think this is the country that has done the most in this mandate not only to catch up, but also to make real progress on the ground and change the realities also for businesses and people on the ground.
Debate: Report on Albania
Date: TUESDAY, 11 JULY 2023
Speaker: Isabel Santos
Country: Hungary
Language: PT

Como bem disse aqui o Senhor Comissário, a Albânia tem feito sérias reformas, reformas muito importantes e que são importantes não só para o processo de adesão, mas também para a qualidade de vida das suas populações e para a qualidade da sua democracia e do seu Estado de Direito.  E por falar em democracia e Estado de Direito, quero dar aqui eco às preocupações manifestadas por diversos colegas de diversas bancadas relativas ao Presidente de Câmara Beleri. É um caso que está a ser acompanhado pelas entidades judiciais da Albânia e nós, no mais estrito respeito pela separação de poderes, devemos respeitar aquelas que são as decisões judiciais.  No entanto, deixo aqui a minha garantia pessoal a todos os colegas de todos os grupos parlamentares, de que eu, pessoalmente, acompanharei o desenvolvimento deste caso e velarei para que os princípios do Estado de Direito sejam escrupulosamente respeitados.  E penso que, com esta minha garantia e com esta minha abordagem franca e direta do problema, devem ser sanadas quaisquer outras discussões que estão para lá da temporalidade deste relatório e que não devem ficar neste relatório.  Espero que este meu apelo e esta minha determinação na abordagem do problema sejam tidos em conta e que possamos resolver, de uma forma coerente e consistente, esta questão.
Debate: Financial activities of the European Investment Bank – annual report  - Control of the financial activities of the European Investment Bank - annual report
Date: TUESDAY, 11 JULY 2023
Speaker: Dita Charanzová
Country: France
Language: EN

The next item is the joint debate on: – the report by Stefan Berger, on behalf of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs, on the financial activities of the European Investment Bank – annual report 2022 ( – the report by Viola von Cramon-Taubadel, on behalf of the Committee on Budgetary Control, on the control of the financial activities of the European Investment Bank – annual report 2022 (
Debate: Financial activities of the European Investment Bank – annual report  - Control of the financial activities of the European Investment Bank - annual report
Date: TUESDAY, 11 JULY 2023
Speaker: Viola von Cramon-Taubadel
Country: Ireland
Language: EN

The EIB annual report focuses on three points for the bank. First, the crisis response following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Second, the launch of the EIB Global. Third, the green transition. We all agree that Ukraine needs our support for as long as it takes. This support includes financial aid and reconstruction for the country for which the EIB as the EU bank is, and will be, the key stakeholder. I commend the EIB on its proven record of prompt crisis responses. Whether it regarded the financial crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic or Russia’s war on Ukraine, the EIB has done a great job in mobilising and deploying the needed funds and loans. However, I would like to stress potential risks that lay ahead of us. The financial support given to Ukraine must come with robust supervisory and protective measures. It is fundamental to ensure that those funds are spent in line with its originally intended purpose of rebuilding the country and helping the Ukrainian people recover from the tragedy of the invasion. We must implement an active distribution process that ensures the money for Ukraine’s reconstruction is not misallocated, but that EU taxpayers’ money benefits all, supports democracy and transparency, and sets Ukraine up for a successful and sustainable future in line with our EU values. The second point is the launch of the EIB Global in January 2022, which is vital to increase our presence outside of the EU. EIB Global is central to the better implementation of our EU policies, priorities and objectives, particularly in the context of potential future EU enlargement. EIB Global will provide additional funds for the Western Balkans in four key areas: digitalisation, telecommunication, infrastructure and the energy transition. The pledges to the EU climate bank are nice, but the bank needs to put its money where its mouth is. For me, the priorities here are the aspects of sustainability, climate, biodiversity and environment.  The EIB decision to no longer invest in fossil fuels related projects was a first great step. Yet I urge the EIB to be consistent here as the bank is still financing previously approved projects such as the Balkan Stream gas pipeline. We welcome the fact that in 2022, the EIB achieved a total level of green financing for over 36.5 billion, which is 58% of total financing volumes, exceeding the original target of 50%. Lastly, for the year 2022, I was pleased to note that the financing was distributed to key areas such as innovation, digital and human capital, sustainable energy and natural resources, sustainable cities and of course, SMEs. I look very much forward to all of your remarks and an interesting exchange.
Debate: Financial activities of the European Investment Bank – annual report  - Control of the financial activities of the European Investment Bank - annual report
Date: TUESDAY, 11 JULY 2023
Speaker: David Cormand
Country: Ireland
Language: FR

Mais, on en demande toujours plus et je voulais attirer l’attention sur un rapport de l’ONG Oxfam qui a révélé de graves dérives relatives à des projets en partie financés par la BEI. Ces projets concernent des hôpitaux privés ayant reçu des fonds de banques publiques dans plusieurs pays du Sud et dans lesquels les patients n’ont pas reçu les soins qui leur étaient dus. C’est par exemple le cas de patients atteints de la COVID qui n’ont pas été traités. Certains ont même été poussés à la banqueroute lorsque les hôpitaux ont vendu des lits de soins intensifs au plus offrant. Donc, Monsieur le Président, la BEI dispose-t-elle d’une évaluation de ces investissements en termes de réduction de la pauvreté et de la réalisation de la couverture de santé universelle hors de l’UE? Comment la BEI va-t-elle répondre à ces dérives manifestes et enfin demander aux intermédiaires financiers de véritablement rendre des comptes?
Debate: Financial activities of the European Investment Bank – annual report  - Control of the financial activities of the European Investment Bank - annual report
Date: TUESDAY, 11 JULY 2023
Speaker: Petri Sarvamaa
Political group: PPE
Country: Germany
Language: EN

The bank borrows money on capital markets and lends it on favourable terms to projects that support EU objectives. And here, of course, it has to be stressed that supporting EU objectives must always be, and I’m sure will be, key priority of the European Investment Bank. Financing was distributed across the main priorities as follows: 17.93 billion for innovation, digital and human capital, almost 21 billion for sustainable energy and natural resources, and almost 17.5 billion for sustainable cities and regions. When talking about important actors in the European context, I cannot emphasise too much the importance of small enterprises. SMEs in the Union account for 99 % of all businesses and more than half of Europe’s GDP. And here, the EIB provided financing amounting to a total of 16.35 billion. Not to forget Ukraine and its huge financing needs in the future. So, dear colleagues, the EIB plays an extremely important role already and has the potential to be even more important to the Union in the future.  Although the funds do not come from the common budget, they must nevertheless be monitored with particular attention. Keeping the aforementioned numbers in mind, the EIB needs to continue diligent reporting on the state of play and status of the previous recommendations issued by Parliament in its annual resolutions. Here, the Budgetary Control Committee, in good cooperation with the European Investment Bank, plays an important role, I think.