unimelb-nlp/MultiEup-v2 huggingface dataset:
Debate: Establishing the Act in support of ammunition production
Date: MONDAY, 8 MAY 2023
Speaker: Clare Daly
Political group: The Left
Country: France
Language: EN

The workers in those factories have to suck up the suspension of the Working Time Act, and if they don’t, they’ll be brandished as traitors or Kremlin agents. And if that wasn’t bad enough, it won’t be just our arms industries, because our friends in the US and Israel can dip into the pot, flog off bits to their European counterparts who will do the final assembly, put a stamp and a premium on it, and it’s champagne all round. And why wouldn’t it be, at EUR 3 000 to EUR 4 000 per shell? And we’re expected – the workers of Europe are expected – to pay for a million of them. It’s absolutely outrageous. If you really cared about Ukraine, you’d be pushing for peace. But the EU hasn’t lifted a finger to push for peace in Ukraine. In fact, it’s done everything to escalate the conflict and prevent peace, because for the EU it’s all about the war profiteers. And the catastrophe in Ukraine is nothing more than a global opportunity for your friends. It’s an absolute disgrace. It’s about time you started to work for peace.
Debate: Establishing the Act in support of ammunition production
Date: MONDAY, 8 MAY 2023
Speaker: Kostas Papadakis
Political group: NI
Country: Czechia
Language: EL

Κύριε Πρόεδρε, οι πολεμικές ιαχές της Επιτροπής για πέρασμα της ευρωπαϊκής επιθετικής βιομηχανίας της σε λειτουργία «πολεμικής οικονομίας», σηματοδοτούν νέα φάση κλιμάκωσης των ιμπεριαλιστικών ανταγωνισμών και πολεμικών προετοιμασιών «μαμούθ», προοικονομώντας νέα βάσανα για τους λαούς.  Οι αυξήσεις δισεκατομμυρίων για ταχύτερη παραγωγή περισσότερων πυρομαχικών και πυραύλων, το επιπλέον ευρωενωσιακό σχέδιο για εξοπλισμούς —πέρα από τα σχέδια κάθε κράτους μέλους— έρχονται χωρίς καν να υπολογίζονται και οι αντίστοιχες νατοϊκές προδιαγραφές που πάλι θα πληρώσουν οι λαοί. Πρόκειται για αντιλαϊκό σχεδιασμό με τον οποίο, δεδομένου και του ρόλου που αναλαμβάνουν και τα Ελληνικά Αμυντικά Συστήματα, η Ελλάδα εμπλέκεται ακόμα πιο βαθιά στον ιμπεριαλιστικό πόλεμο και στη σύγκρουση ΝΑΤΟ-Ρωσίας, με τα κράτη της κεντροδυτικής Ευρώπης να ξοδεύουν για στρατιωτικούς εξοπλισμούς πάνω από 350 δισεκατομμύρια.  Ο ελληνικός λαός πρέπει να καταδικάσει την Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση του πολέμου και τα κόμματά της, γιατί, εξαιτίας των υπογραφών ΝΔ, ΣΥΡΙΖΑ και ΠΑΣΟΚ, αυτός πληρώνει ακριβά τους ανταγωνισμούς των μονοπωλίων. Η μόνη διέξοδος είναι να ισχυροποιήσει το ΚΚΕ και την πάλη ενάντια στον ιμπεριαλιστικό πόλεμο.
Debate: Establishing the Act in support of ammunition production
Date: MONDAY, 8 MAY 2023
Speaker: Michael Gahler
Political group: PPE
Country: Spain
Language: EN

Mr President, for 438 days already we have been witnessing Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. Putin endangers the foundations of our international order, which, if successful, would set a dangerous precedent for other authoritarian regimes. Therefore, we are called upon to stand united and with resolve on Ukraine’s side.  This Commission proposal is an urgent matter and a necessary step in light of the atrocities Ukraine is facing and the threat from Russia we are facing. ASAP provides a set of measures that will enable the EU and its Member States to live up to this challenge, primarily by increasing the production capacities for ammunition in Europe.  The urgency to boost our production becomes obvious when looking at the numbers for artillery and ammunition. Currently, Ukraine is using about 3 000 shells, sometimes more, each day. The current annual production capacity in Europe is at 300 000. Given these figures and the pledge of EU Member States to provide a million shells to Ukraine, the urgency for ASAP is evident. I therefore fully support treating that file with the highest priority in our House.  However, the urgency also requires that the initiatives launched in support of Ukraine and for replenishing our depleted stocks be provided with the necessary financial means. In that regard, and despite the urgency for implementing ASAP, we should not reduce the financial envelope for joint procurement as foreseen for the EDIRPA instrument or for the European Defence Fund. Both proposals and the EDF are equally important, and we need to make all of them a success ASAP, as soon as possible.  In effect, we need a full revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework to properly adjust our budget in order to be able to adequately address this war. However, as long as such a revision is not taking place, EDIRPA and ASAP as new instruments should be the focus of our efforts.  Saving some breadcrumbs that will not make any substantial difference for the envisaged long—term European defence investment programme would only deny us the necessary difference we need to achieve now with EDIRPA and ASAP. So let’s therefore address first things first.
Debate: Establishing the Act in support of ammunition production
Date: MONDAY, 8 MAY 2023
Speaker: Leszek Miller
Political group: S-D
Country: France
Language: PL

Panie Przewodniczący! Panie Komisarzu! Plan wspólnych unijnych zakupów amunicji dla Ukrainy nie wymaga specjalnych dyskusji. Ukraiński przemysł zbrojeniowy, podobnie jak gospodarka, są zniszczone i nie dają szans na zaspokojenie potrzeb własnymi siłami. W tym samym czasie rosyjskie zakłady zbrojeniowe pozostają nietknięte, co więcej, przestawiają się na pełnoskalową produkcję wojenną.  W tej sytuacji Unia Europejska, jeśli chce nadal wspierać Ukrainę, nie tylko słowami, ale i czynami, musi stać się ukraińskim zapleczem przemysłowym. Także w kontekście produkcji zbrojeniowej.  To, co w przyjętym 3-punktowym planie, o którym mówił komisarz Breton, może martwić, to odległe terminy sięgające do września. Rosjanie przecież nie przerwą swoich działań do września, żeby zaczekać na realizację unijnych procedur zakupowych. Apeluję, aby przyspieszyć realizację niezbędnych decyzji wynikających z planów wspólnych zamówień i produkcji amunicji. Oczywiście dotyczy to też głosowania w Parlamencie w trybie pilnym.  Apeluję również o zapewnienie finansowania tych projektów, ale bez cięć funduszy strukturalnych, zwłaszcza funduszy spójności. Mamy zobowiązania wobec młodych Europejczyków, aby mogli mieszkać i rozwijać się w bezpiecznej, zjednoczonej Europie. Mamy również zobowiązania w stosunku do ukraińskich przyjaciół i sojuszników, którzy w tej chwili zaciekle walczą o swój kraj. Te zobowiązania muszą nas skłaniać do energicznych i skutecznych działań. Wierzę, że tak właśnie będzie.
Debate: Establishing the Act in support of ammunition production
Date: MONDAY, 8 MAY 2023
Speaker: Hilde Vautmans
Political group: Renew
Country: Romania
Language: NL

Voorzitter, commissaris Breton, de Europese defensie—industrie moet overschakelen – heel erg dringend – op een hogere versnelling, want we kunnen Oekraïne al maanden niet bevoorraden in het tempo dat nodig is in deze uitputtingsoorlog. En collega’s, we moeten blijven beseffen: Oekraïne mag deze oorlog niet verliezen. Dat zou voor Oekraïne, maar ook voor Europa, catastrofaal zijn. Waar zou Poetin stoppen, denken jullie, als hij in Oekraïne wint? We hebben dus als Unie de plicht om de plannen van commissaris Breton zo snel mogelijk aan te nemen en te realiseren. En mijnheer Breton, onze groep zal morgen mee aandringen op die spoedprocedure. Dit moet erdoor. Dit had er eigenlijk al door moeten zijn, durf ik te zeggen. Dus wij gaan met Renew Europe daar alles aan doen om die spoedprocedure te realiseren. En ik ben ook blij dat het nu eindelijk ook in de Raad voorligt, dat de gezamenlijke aankoop van munitie daar kan doorgaan.  Maar collega Breton, er moet meer gebeuren. Voor mij is dit nu een momentum. We zijn nu eensgezind: de Raad, de Commissie, het Parlement. Maar het mag niet bij deze ene keer blijven. Voor mij moet dit de start zijn van de uitbouw van een échte defensie—unie. En u kent mij. U weet waarvoor ik ga pleiten. Ik pleit voor een echte Europese defensie—unie mét een Europees leger. Ik weet dat dat voor sommigen hier te ver gaat, maar ik denk: willen wij vrede op dit continent bewaren? En vandaag is een hele speciale dag: 8 mei, het einde van WO II. Sommige collega’s doen daar nogal smalend over. Hoe denken jullie dat Oekraïne de oorlog kan winnen als we geen munitie en geen wapens hebben tegen Poetin? Dus deze levering is hoogstnoodzakelijk. Mijnheer Breton,
Debate: Establishing the Act in support of ammunition production
Date: MONDAY, 8 MAY 2023
Speaker: Adam Bielan
Political group: ECR
Country: France
Language: EN

Mr President, dear Commissioner, the Act in Support of Ammunition Production is a timely proposal, especially at a time where our Ukrainian friends and our allies within NATO expect us to deliver the most. This is also a major opportunity for EU ammunition manufacturers, including from Poland, and supply chain partners. I support the regulatory measures designed to temporarily remove barriers for rapid ramp-up, including adjusted public procurement procedures and internal market transfers. Adjusting the priority order is essential to redirect current production to Ukraine’s urgent needs. Furthermore, I welcome the Commission’s suggestion to change the European Investment Bank’s lending policies for core defence products. It would address the European defence industry’s funding challenges and send a strong signal to financial actors. Last, let me remind that peacetime processes are not fit for wartime needs. Considering the pressing need to replenish Ukraine’s ammunition stocks, I support the fast track procedure request.
Debate: Establishing the Act in support of ammunition production
Date: MONDAY, 8 MAY 2023
Speaker: Marc Angel
Country: Luxembourg
Language: EN

Colleague, there is a blue card from Beata Mazurek. Do you accept it? Oh, sorry. The rules have changed. It’s the same political party, so according to the rules, since you are coming from the same political group as Mr Bielan it’s not allowed to have a blue card. Sorry. I forgot to inform you about this in the beginning.
Debate: Establishing the Act in support of ammunition production
Date: MONDAY, 8 MAY 2023
Speaker: Özlem Demirel
Political group: The Left
Country: Hungary
Language: DE

Herr Präsident! Wenn es um die Militärunion geht, sind der Kreativität der Kommission keine Grenzen gesetzt. So deklariert man den Verteidigungsfonds zur Beförderung und Beschaffung von Militär- und Kriegsgerät als Industriepolitik und nennt den Fonds, aus dem Waffenlieferungen für die Ukraine mobilisiert werden, Friedensfazilität.  Das alles, obwohl der EU-Vertrag, Artikel 41 Absatz 2, militärische Maßnahmen aus dem EU-Haushalt verbietet. Und das, obwohl der Gemeinsame Standpunkt verbindlich Waffenlieferungen in Kriegs- und Krisengebiete verbietet.  Jetzt wollen Sie Munitionsproduktion ankurbeln mit Geldern aus dem Corona-Aufbaufonds oder der Kohäsionspolitik. Die Kohäsionspolitik steht dafür, dass die Lebensverhältnisse der Menschen in den Regionen hier angeglichen werden sollen. Wohlgemerkt, Sie wollen das in einer Zeit, wo wir 20 Millionen Kinder haben, die von Armut bedroht sind.  Blühende Kriegs- und Munitionslandschaften – das scheint das Zukunftsversprechen dieser Kommission zu sein. Herr Kommissar, liebe Kommission, liebes Parlament, wann höre ich hier endlich die Reden für den Frieden, für die Menschen in der Ukraine, in Europa und darüber hinaus?
Debate: Establishing the Act in support of ammunition production
Date: MONDAY, 8 MAY 2023
Speaker: Hannah Neumann
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: Sweden
Language: DE

Meines Wissens nach sagt aber der Gemeinsame Standpunkt der Europäischen Union, dass Rüstungsexporte auch in Kriegsgebiete, wenn sie dem Selbstverteidigungsrecht dienen, genehmigt werden dürfen. Genau das haben wir ja in der Ukraine, wo Russland einmarschiert und die Ukraine sich selber gegen diese Aggression verteidigt. Oder liegt dir eine andere Version des Gemeinsamen Standpunktes vor?
Debate: Establishing the Act in support of ammunition production
Date: MONDAY, 8 MAY 2023
Speaker: Özlem Demirel
Political group: The Left
Country: Hungary
Language: DE

Es wird hier die ganze Zeit daran gearbeitet, Tabus in der Europäischen Union fallen zu lassen, weil man schon lange daran arbeiten wollte, die EU in eine Militärunion umzurüsten. Doch die Lehre aus dem Zweiten Weltkrieg war, dass man in Europa gesagt hat: Wir wollen keine Kriege mehr! Und wer keine Kriege will, der muss daran arbeiten, dass es Diplomatie gibt. Wann gab es die Rede von Frau von der Leyen, wo sie gesagt hat: Wir als EU sehen den Ausweg aus diesem Krieg hier oder da? Wann hat Frau von der Leyen irgendwann mal etwas von Diplomatie oder Frieden in diesem Krieg gesagt?  Wenn Ihr uns erzählt, dass Waffenlieferungen den Krieg beenden: Nein, sie beenden ihn nicht! Sie vergrößern das Leid in der Ukraine.
Debate: Establishing the Act in support of ammunition production
Date: MONDAY, 8 MAY 2023
Speaker: Sara Skyttedal
Political group: PPE
Country: Spain
Language: EN

Mr President, this act in support of ammunition production has the very fitting acronym ASAP (Act in Support of Ammunition Production), which we all know normally just means ‘as soon as possible’, and this is surely the case regarding the need to drastically ramp up the production capacity of ammunition in Europe. The failure to do so will be devastating both for our possibility to stand by our unwavering support towards Ukraine and for our possibility to strengthen security in the European Union.  Now the EPP Group is asking for an urgent procedure, which I strongly support, to adopt ASAP as soon as possible. I do want to highlight the regrettable choice from the Commission to finance this proposal with funds already intended to strengthen the defence industry – efforts that are already underfunded to begin with.  If the Commission is truly serious about making a difference to boost the industrial base, then it needs to get its act together and move forward with the postponed European Defence Investment Programme, preferably as soon as possible.
Debate: Establishing the Act in support of ammunition production
Date: MONDAY, 8 MAY 2023
Speaker: Bart Groothuis
Political group: Renew
Country: Portugal
Language: EN

Mr President, dear Commissioner, concrete and credible plans for producing 1 million shells for Ukraine within 12 months is just spot on and much appreciated. And I would like to thank the competent commitment of this Commission and especially Commissioner Breton, but also Commissioner Borrell in particular, dedicated to the faith of defence in Europe. But with 5 000 shells, dear Commissioner, fired per day, Ukraine still needs 1.8 million shells instead of 1 million, or maybe triple that, since the numbers are separate of what NATO countries themselves already ordered extra. So I must convey my concern that this initiative might not be enough. Secondly, dear Commissioner, artillery is very, very important – but so are more interceptors for dedicated integrated air defence systems or MANPADS, or more multiple launch rocket system munitions, or more anti-tank missiles, more production lines for tanks or infantry fighting vehicles and combat support,  Outperforming the Russian war economy is probably the best way to peace. In other words, this new munition act is a great breakthrough and a great complement for the European Union if we pull this off. But hopefully only the mere beginning and not the final solution in helping Ukraine win this war.
Debate: Establishing the Act in support of ammunition production
Date: MONDAY, 8 MAY 2023
Speaker: Henna Virkkunen
Political group: PPE
Country: Italy
Language: EN

Mr President, Commissioner, the whole of Europe must urgently increase investments in defence. Ukraine deserves all our help, including heavy weapons and ammunition. Member States have committed to supply 1 million rounds of ammunition in 12 months. For this, we need to ramp up European ammunition production. For decades, many European Member States have disregarded defence spending. Russia’s war of aggression on Ukraine has made it painfully clear how much European defence spending is falling behind others – the USA and especially Russia and China. The act in support of ammunition production (ASAP) presented by the Commission is well needed. Member States have already announced increases in their defence budgets with an additional EUR 200 billion in the coming years.  It is clear that we need a new, more coordinated EU approach here. It is also important to increase investments in defence research and development and military mobility, and these should be taken into consideration in the upcoming mid—term review of the MFF.
Debate: Establishing the Act in support of ammunition production
Date: MONDAY, 8 MAY 2023
Speaker: Cristian-Silviu Buşoi
Political group: PPE
Country: Poland
Language: EN

Mr President, I welcome the proposal for this regulation and I congratulate Thierry Breton. This will be an efficient instrument to financially support the reinforcement of the Union’s industrial production capacities, a mechanism to anticipate the existence of bottlenecks in the supply chains and to address the ammunition supply shortage.  It is also a very concrete way of supporting Ukrainian people, as we need to increase the support and strengthen our solidarity towards Ukraine.  As the production capacities within the Union defence industry sector have been tailored for peacetime, we need to build new programmes and concrete support and incentives for our European defence industry in order to be more prepared, more competitive. Together with this initiative, with EDIRPA and others, all of them should be part of a more ambitious plan. As chair of the committee, and also as a member of the EPP Group, I fully support that the European Parliament should adopt all the necessary measures in use Rule 163 to facilitate the entry into force of this regulation as soon as possible.
Debate: Establishing the Act in support of ammunition production
Date: MONDAY, 8 MAY 2023
Speaker: Beata Mazurek
Political group: ECR
Country: Malta
Language: PL

Panie Przewodniczący! Szanowni Państwo! Od agresji Rosji na Ukrainę mija właśnie 439 dni. Musimy sobie zdać sprawę, że teraz jest ostatni moment na działanie, bo zmarnowano już dość dużo czasu. Potencjał unijnego przemysłu obronnego do zaopatrzenia w amunicję i pociski jest kluczowy dla bezpieczeństwa naszego, całej Europy i zdolności do pomocy Ukrainie. Unia powinna wziąć przykład z Polski, która od 2015 roku konsekwentnie rozbudowuje swoje jednostki wojskowe i zwiększa możliwości produkcyjne również w zakresie amunicji.  Po wybuchu wojny od razu podjęliśmy działania w postaci ustawy o obronie ojczyzny i olbrzymich kontraktów na zakup uzbrojenia. Dzięki temu byliśmy w stanie udzielić wsparcia Ukrainie większego, niż ktokolwiek mógłby od nas oczekiwać. Może nie musielibyśmy podejmować tak błyskawicznych kroków, gdyby reszta Europy słuchała tego, co głosi moje środowisko polityczne od dawna. Putinowi nie wolno ufać. Składa obietnice, gdy jest do tego zmuszony. Łamie je, gdy tylko ma do tego siłę. Bądźmy solidarni z Ukrainą dla naszego bezpieczeństwa.
Debate: Establishing the Act in support of ammunition production
Date: MONDAY, 8 MAY 2023
Speaker: Mick Wallace
Political group: The Left
Country: Germany
Language: EN

Mr President, we’re prepared to pull out all the stops to increase our production capacity to produce more ammunition. We’ve the Commission now talking about a war-time economy.  Imagine if we were prepared to pull out all the stops to deal with poverty across Europe? Imagine if we were prepared to pull out all the stops to deal with our housing crisis, our health crisis, to deal with the concerns of our citizens?  No, but we’ll do anything to promote war. Why don’t we promote peace?  Tanks, guns and ammunition never bring peace. Ammunition is designed to kill people, and that’s what it does. But do we give a damn about the Ukrainians that are dying if we’re just going to keep feeding this war?  Whatever happened to that idea that the EU was about peace and security? We’re making things worse, we are. It’s time we stop feeding the war machine.
Debate: Establishing the Act in support of ammunition production
Date: MONDAY, 8 MAY 2023
Speaker: Jadwiga Wiśniewska
Political group: ECR
Country: Poland
Language: PL

Panie Przewodniczący! Skandaliczne są wypowiedzi negujące konieczność wspierania Ukrainy. Barbarzyństwo Putina nie ma granic. My żyjący w bliskości Rosji wiemy, jak groźne jest to państwo. Zmieniają się czasy, ale nie zmienia się istota brutalności rosyjskiego imperializmu. I trzeba być niezwykle niedojrzałym, żeby tego nie zauważać.  Jeśli zaś chodzi o przedłożony wniosek, to oczywiście popieram wspieranie produkcji amunicji. Musimy wspierać Ukrainę i Ukraina nie może przegrać tej wojny. Skutki przyjętych propozycji będą oznaczać potencjalne zmiany rozwojowe w przemyśle. Wskazane jest dołożenie wszelkich starań, aby działania faktycznie odzwierciedlały oczekiwania państw członkowskich.  Ta propozycja idzie jednak za daleko, jeśli chodzi o uprawnienia Komisji, na przykład przy możliwości narzucania podmiotom priorytetów realizacji zamówień oraz stosowanie wobec nich kar. Dlatego Parlament, stosując przyspieszoną ścieżkę prac, musi wprowadzić potrzebną równowagę między Komisją a państwami członkowskimi. Bądźmy solidarni z Ukrainą.
Debate: Establishing the Act in support of ammunition production
Date: MONDAY, 8 MAY 2023
Speaker: Petri Sarvamaa
Political group: PPE
Country: Germany
Language: FI

Arvoisa puhemies, on hienoa, että komissio on ryhtynyt rivakasti toimeen koskien ammusten riittävyyttä eurooppalaisessa tuotannossa. Samaan aikaan herää kuitenkin kysymys, miksi komissio ajaa uutta lyijyhaulikieltoa, jolla olisi vaikutusta niin ammusten määrään kuin reserviläisten ampumaharjoitteluun? Komissio sai kemikaaliviraston ja sen valiokuntien lopullisen lausunnon helmikuun lopulla koskien tätä kieltoa, ja käsillä on nyt hetki, jolloin komissio valmistelee mahdollista uutta rajoitusta, joten nyt on oikea hetki nostaa tämä esiin. Pitää pystyä sanomaan ääneen, että lyijyhaulikielto uhkaa ampumaratoja ja reserviläistoimintaa. Ammusten riittävyys on sodassa toki elintärkeää, mutta yhtä tärkeää – ellei tärkeämpääkin – on ampumataito, ja tätä komissio on mahdollisesti nyt vaarantamassa. Päätöshän on teidän, REACH-komitean ja jäsenvaltioiden käsissä. Kannatan todellakin komission esitystä ammusten tuotannon lisäämiseksi, mutta vetoan: ei romuteta eurooppalaista reserviläistoimintaa uudella rajoituksella.
Debate: Establishing the Act in support of ammunition production
Date: MONDAY, 8 MAY 2023
Speaker: Marc Botenga
Political group: The Left
Country: France
Language: EN

The proposed act also explicitly undermines workers’ rights. Article 18 proposes to bypass the Working Time Directive, which imposes minimum daily and weekly rest periods, annual leave, breaks, maximum weekly working time and night work. This way it sacrifices social rights for militarisation, giving a free pass to industry to introduce working weeks of over 48 hours.  The Treaty on the European Union, Article 41.2, prohibits expenditure arising from operations having military or defence implications from being charged to the EU budget. Labelling this act as an industrial project, the Commission deliberately circumvents these provisions. Let us build peace on our continent and invest in socio—economic recovery, and a public switch for the climate.
Debate: Establishing the Act in support of ammunition production
Date: MONDAY, 8 MAY 2023
Speaker: Ivan Štefanec
Political group: PPE
Country: Netherlands
Language: EN

The return of a situation marked by very intense conflict has reversed the market situation described above, and under—investment has resulted in capability gaps both in capability and in industry within the Union. Capability gaps are various, but in light of the situation in Ukraine, there is a specific pressing need for ground-to-ground ammunition and artillery ammunition, as well as missiles. Joint efforts to enable Member States to replenish their depleted stocks and to support Ukraine can only be effective if the EU supply is able to deliver the required defence industry products in time.