unimelb-nlp/MultiEup-v2 huggingface dataset:
Debate: EU-China relations
Date: TUESDAY, 12 DECEMBER 2023
Speaker: Miriam Lexmann
Political group: PPE
Country: Spain
Language: EN

Mr President, colleagues, the totalitarian regime of the Chinese Communist Party represents the single biggest threat to our freedom and security. We continue to pretend that we can cooperate with China, but even on the issues like the climate change, the CCP actions are destructive rather than constructive. This is why we can no longer afford to hide our heads in the sand. The CCP is open about its intentions. Our policy must be clear: we must hold the CCP accountable for its crimes against humanity, and we must continue to work with our partners in strengthening our response to the economic and security threats it poses. Failure to do so can have catastrophic consequences, not only for the people of China, but also for all of us.
Debate: EU-China relations
Date: TUESDAY, 12 DECEMBER 2023
Speaker: Margarida Marques
Political group: S-D
Country: Cyprus
Language: PT

Senhor Presidente, Senhor Vice—Presidente, Caros Colegas, as relações União Europeia—China devem continuar a ser guiadas pelos princípios de cooperar sempre que possível, competir quando essencial, confrontar quando necessário. Temos de continuar a exigir uma relação comercial e de investimento baseadas na reciprocidade e na equidade, com uma diplomacia económica que contribua para promover condições justas e equitativas de acesso ao mercado chinês por parte dos europeus; a trabalhar para limitar os riscos criados pela aquisição de infraestruturas críticas pela China na União Europeia; a implementar uma maior fiscalização no mercado interno. Associado a todos estes objetivos, a exigência de respeito dos direitos humanos universais, que é um princípio fundador da União Europeia. Assim, estaremos em condições de reforçar a autonomia estratégica aberta da União Europeia que preconizamos.
Debate: EU-China relations
Date: TUESDAY, 12 DECEMBER 2023
Speaker: Isabella Tovaglieri
Political group: ID
Country: Spain
Language: IT

Signor Presidente, signor Alto rappresentante, onorevoli colleghi, la Cina è un pericolo per l'Europa, dobbiamo dircelo chiaramente. Come il COVID-19 ci ha dimostrato, questo paese non è un partner affidabile e trasparente ma, al contrario, un nemico disposto a provocare un disastro globale pur di proteggere i suoi interessi. Ora la storia si ripete con la transizione green: la Cina ci tiene in pugno con le batterie, i microchip e le terre rare e contemporaneamente invade il nostro mercato con auto elettriche prodotte a basso costo, anche grazie agli aiuti di Stato della dittatura comunista. L'Italia ha appena abbandonato il memorandum sulla Via della seta, prendendo le distanze dal regime cinese, ed è ora che anche l'Europa batta un colpo se non vuole soccombere. Nei giorni scorsi, dopo la sua prima e unica missione a Pechino, la Commissione europea ha denunciato i pesanti squilibri negli scambi commerciali tra Europa e Cina e ha addirittura annunciato un'indagine sul dumping cinese. Bene! Se avessimo saputo che alla Presidente von der Leyen serviva un viaggio a Pechino per rendersi conto di quello che la Lega dice a gran voce da cinque anni in questo Parlamento, avremmo pagato volentieri noi questa trasferta, ma molto tempo prima!
Debate: EU-China relations
Date: TUESDAY, 12 DECEMBER 2023
Speaker: Lukas Mandl
Political group: PPE
Country: Portugal
Language: DE

Herr Präsident, sehr geehrter Herr Hoher Vertreter, liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen! China folgt nicht dem Menschenbild, das unsere Zivilisation ausmacht, das auf Menschenwürde basiert, das auf Freiheitsrechten basiert, auf Demokratie und Rechtsstaatlichkeit – das ist nicht neu. China hat vor einigen Jahren noch vermittelt, es würde um – wie es dort genannt wurde – bescheidenen Wohlstand gehen, und hat beachtliche Wachstumsraten verzeichnet. Aber von der Bescheidenheit ist nicht mehr viel zu sehen, weder nach innen noch nach außen. Wir müssen Einflussversuche in Europa und anderen Teilen der Welt zurückweisen. Ich beachte und finde beachtlich, was die italienische Ministerpräsidentin Giorgia Meloni jetzt geschafft hat, nämlich auszutreten aus 16+1. Früher war das 17+1, jetzt ist es nur noch 15+1 – nach dem Austritt des wichtigen europäischen Industrielandes Italien aus diesem Versuch Chinas, uns zu spalten. Wir brauchen Reziprozität, Gegenseitigkeit – chinesische Unternehmen dürfen in Europa nicht mehr dürfen als europäische Unternehmen in China. Wir brauchen ein
Debate: EU-China relations
Date: TUESDAY, 12 DECEMBER 2023
Speaker: Niels Fuglsang
Political group: S-D
Country: Italy
Language: DA

Hr. Formand! Hr. Borrell. Ærede kollegaer. Kan I huske dengang efter finanskrisen, hvor Grækenland solgte sin største havn, Piræus, til Kina? Hvis ikke, så kan I måske huske tidligere i år, da Hamborg Havn - dele af Hamborg Havn - blev solgt til Kina? Det er vel bare sådan kapitalismen fungerer, er det ikke? Altså, der er nogen, der vil sælge noget. Der er nogen, der vil købe noget. Man laver en handel. Kritisk infrastruktur. Det gør ikke det helt store. Som Milton Friedman, nobelpris-økonomen, sagde:  “The business of business is business”. Man skal ikke blande politik og forretninger. Men vi kan se i dag, hvordan Kina bruger sin økonomiske magt til at lægge pres på de lande, der er afhængige af Kina - som Kina handler med - og derfor må vi indse, at Milton Friedman tog fejl. Vi tog fejl. Hele Europa tog fejl. Vi kan lave fejl, men at vi er blevet så afhængige af Kina, det er en stor en af slagsen. Det skal vi ud af. Lad os ændre kurs. Lad os sørge for, at vi ikke kommer i kløerne på Kina, og lad os mindske afhængigheden. Lad os ikke sælge vores kritiske infrastruktur til Kina fremover.
Debate: EU-China relations
Date: TUESDAY, 12 DECEMBER 2023
Speaker: Pernille Weiss
Political group: PPE
Country: Poland
Language: DA

Hr. Formand! Hvor man, med forstand på hvordan man bruger sin tid optimalt og skaber resultater, har sagt, at når man har skrevet sin huskeliste, så skal man begynde med det, man skrev til sidst. For det er som regel også det vigtigste, og det vil jeg faktisk gerne foreslå, at vi gør med anbefalingerne angående EU/Kina-relationen. Lad os begynde med det, der handler om at få minimeret risici i relationerne til Kina for at sikre Europas åbne strategiske autonomi, som det så enkelt lyder, selvom det dækker over alt lige fra kritisk infrastruktur og kritiske råmaterialer til Kinas stigende militære provokationer i Det Sydkinesiske Hav. For ellers kommer vi aldrig i nærheden af at få Kina til at deltage i at løse de globale udfordringer, vi har med klima, biodiversitet, folkesundhed, fødevaresikkerhed og så videre. Og ellers får vi heller ikke Kina til at respektere menneskerettigheder og den regelbaserede verdensorden, eller får Kina til at holde op med at støtte USA's forsøg på at splitte og smadre Europa. Om godt en måned kommer Kommissionen med sit arbejdsprogram for 2024. Forventningerne er med afsæt i EU/Kina-rapporten meget høje, og det varsler markante indsatser for øget økonomisk sikkerhed i form af screening af udenlandske investeringer i EU, eksportkontrol, diversificering af råstoffer og andre forsyningskæder.
Debate: EU-China relations
Date: TUESDAY, 12 DECEMBER 2023
Speaker: Ibán García Del Blanco
Political group: S-D
Country: Italy
Language: ES

Señor presidente, la capacidad de analizar la realidad monocromáticamente o bicromáticamente, algo que, lamentablemente, se está deslizando en la política en general, la política en todos nuestros países, también aquí en la Unión Europea, se resiste a comprender el análisis de las relaciones entre la Unión Europea y China, precisamente porque China es lo suficientemente grande como para jugar al mismo juego que jugamos nosotros, en ocasiones con una moral que se va moviendo en función de los intereses.  Y en ese sentido creo que debemos ser, por supuesto, realistas al mismo tiempo que debemos, por supuesto, defender también nuestros propios intereses en el mundo. Y ser realistas en el sentido de que, efectivamente, es un aliado o más que un aliado, es un cooperador económico del que no podemos prescindir, con el que tenemos que establecer unas relaciones en pie de igualdad, en pie de respeto, pero, al mismo tiempo, por supuesto, hemos de defender los valores que, en principio, representamos en el mundo, pero teniendo en cuenta que no podremos imponérselos ni podemos imponérselos, por supuesto, a China.  Y, en ese sentido, yo abogo por que —en el mismo sentido que va este informe— defendamos, como digo, una relación madura con China, porque, además, ya no solo es que vaya a ser bueno para la Unión Europea, sino que creo que producir una actuación de la Unión Europea individual, autónoma en el mundo, también será bueno para el resto de países, huyendo, de alguna forma, de una segunda Guerra Fría en la que nos podríamos establecer de seguir como aliados invisibles. Y en este...
Debate: EU-China relations
Date: TUESDAY, 12 DECEMBER 2023
Speaker: Josep Borrell Fontelles
Language: EN

But what can I say? I can repeat what I already said. Our economic relations are on balance. Our political relation, it’s complicated, China’s over-capacities are disruptive of the European Union’s single market. We must remain firm on defending our fundamental values, we said that during the summit. And we will continue being partners, competitors and systemic rivals. But we have to keep fine-tuning this relationship. It requires a lot of fine-tuning. The geopolitical developments in the world will require that we pay a lot of attention to China for the good and for the bad. But I am ready to continue discussing in a better moment.
Debate: EU-China relations
Date: TUESDAY, 12 DECEMBER 2023
Speaker: Hilde Vautmans
Country: Romania
Language: NL

Ik ben heel erg blij met de steun — van de collega’s, van de fracties en van de verschillende landen — voor deze aanbeveling. Ik denk dat het goed is dat het huis in navolging van het Chinaverslag met deze aanbeveling komt. Ik heb van alle kanten mogen horen dat we hieraan verder moeten werken. En het is eigenlijk een veel te belangrijk thema om zo laat op de avond te bespreken. En ik heb ook de uitgestoken hand van meneer Borrell opgemerkt. En dat er gezegd wordt dat we er eens mee verdergaan. We kunnen dat doen in een commissievergadering. We kunnen dat doen in een plenaire vergadering. Maar ik denk ook dat we dat breder moeten aanpakken dan alleen met de Commissie buitenlandse zaken. Ik denk dat we ook moeten samenwerken met de Commissie internationale handel, want daar ligt natuurlijk de hond gebonden, zoals wij dat zeggen. Ik denk dat we hieraan verder moeten werken, maar ik denk wel dat het een heel sterk signaal is dat dit parlement morgen — hoop ik — met een heel brede meerderheid voor deze aanbeveling stemt. Ik denk dat we heel sterk werk hebben geleverd op het gebied van mensenrechten, op het gebied van strategische autonomie en op het gebied van competitie en samenwerking. En ik hoop natuurlijk dat nadien de Raad en de hoge vertegenwoordiger van de Unie ook echt werk maken van deze vernieuwde assertieve Chinastrategie.
Debate: Minimum requirements on minimum breaks and daily and weekly rest periods in the occasional passenger transport sector
Date: TUESDAY, 12 DECEMBER 2023
Speaker: Seán Kelly
Political group: PPE
Country: Greece
Language: EN

The impetus it places on increased digitalisation to optimise the work of both the operators and the authorities in carrying out the new reforms is a welcome one. This reform does not compromise on road safety or proper working conditions, but simultaneously places the driver’s ability to adapt to changing circumstances and passenger requirements at the forefront. Dá bhrí sin, bhí áthas orm vótáil ar a shon.
Debate: Framework for ensuring a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials
Date: TUESDAY, 12 DECEMBER 2023
Speaker: Seán Kelly
Political group: PPE
Country: Greece
Language: EN

Mr President, as the name suggests, critical raw materials play a critical role in making the green transition a reality. I was happy to vote in favour of this report, as the act will allow the EU to more efficiently use the assets we have on our own doorstep, while also reducing our dependence on external industrial powers like China, which we have been debating here for the last hour. I welcome the introduction of a mechanism for coordinated monitoring of critical raw materials, supply chains, and the measures to address risks in the supply chain. I am particularly pleased with the amendments made to the benchmarks of the act. Notably, the strong increase in recycling capacity to 25% of annual consumption and the recycling of strategic raw materials from waste streams. This shows the commitment of those involved in the development of this act to environmental prioritisation.
Debate: The European Elections
Date: TUESDAY, 12 DECEMBER 2023
Speaker: Seán Kelly
Political group: PPE
Country: Greece
Language: EN

Mr President, the report provides an important framework to convey Parliament's key political messages to strengthen the European dimension of the 2024 European elections, and the process leading up to the election of the President of the Commission. I was happy to vote in favour of this report, as, among other reasons, it introduces measures to facilitate the access to voting for mobile citizens and citizens with disabilities. This is grounded in the principles of inclusivity and equal representation. It aims to ensure that all eligible citizens, regardless of their mobility or physical abilities, can exercise their right to vote.  Strengthening the European dimension of elections is a way to enhance the democratic legitimacy of the European Parliament. By fostering a more direct link between citizens and European institutions, voter engagement and trust in the democratic process can be increased. I also welcome the defeat of the motion to have transnational lists. We don't want a House of Commons of MEPs and a House of Lords of MEPs.
Debate: Negotiations ahead of Parliament’s first reading
Date: WEDNESDAY, 13 DECEMBER 2023
Speaker: Pina Picierno
Country: Spain
Language: IT

In relazione alle decisioni di alcune commissioni di avviare negoziati interistituzionali a norma dell'articolo 71, paragrafo 1, del regolamento, annunciate in apertura della sessione di lunedì 11 dicembre, la Presidente non ha ricevuto alcuna richiesta di votazione in Aula da parte di un numero di deputati o di uno o più gruppi politici pari almeno alla soglia media. Le commissioni possono pertanto iniziare i negoziati.
Debate: Preparation of the European Council meeting of - December
Date: WEDNESDAY, 13 DECEMBER 2023
Speaker: Pina Picierno
Country: Spain
Language: IT

Passiamo ora alle discussioni. L'ordine del giorno reca le dichiarazioni del Consiglio e della Commissione in preparazione della riunione del Consiglio europeo del 14 e 15 dicembre 2023 (
Debate: Preparation of the European Council meeting of - December
Date: WEDNESDAY, 13 DECEMBER 2023
Speaker: Siegfried Mureşan
Political group: PPE
Country: Germany
Language: EN

All of this makes Europe stronger and safer and we have, just two weeks ago here in the plenary of Parliament, voted the budget of the European Union for next year, which also gives predictability to the beneficiaries of EU funds for next year. But we need to give predictability to those who expect European support in the long term, and this is why the first important topic of this Council will be the revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework. It was agreed in 2020. Since then, we had to do many things which we did not anticipate. The Commission was right to put forward a revision proposal of the Multiannual Financial Framework in June. We the Parliament have expressed our view, and we urge the Council to adopt its position on this revision at the Council meeting this week, so that early next year we can conclude the final negotiations between Parliament and the Council on this topic. Why is this important and what do we expect? This revision is important to provide support to Ukraine, to better protect our borders, to manage migration, to strengthen our economy and make it more competitive, and indeed to support Ukraine. This revision is also important to create reserves for unforeseen developments so that, if anything unexpected happens until 2027, the Union can support people in case of need. This is the first important topic of the Council. The second one is indeed enlargement. Let me be clear: what Ukraine needs from us now is those concrete tools that help it win the war on the ground, the military support. But the financial support is also important. I was in Washington last week. The EUR 50 billion that the European Union will put forward for Ukraine will be essential to mobilise international, including US support. We cannot expect other regions of the world to support Ukraine financially and militarily unless we are there in the front line and support ourselves. Last point: the accession talks. No one is talking now about the immediate accession of Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova to the European Union, but what is important is that these negotiations start. Why is this important? Because the accession negotiations are the best tool that we, as the European Union, have to make our neighbouring countries safer and more stable, to help them reform, modernise and get closer to European standards, as well as adapt to and implement European legislation. This is why these accession negotiations are not only in the interests of our neighbouring countries, but they are in the interest of the European Union as a whole. This is the view of Parliament, of the majority of its Members. We hope the Council can unanimously make this decision this week.
Debate: Preparation of the European Council meeting of - December
Date: WEDNESDAY, 13 DECEMBER 2023
Speaker: Pedro Marques
Political group: S-D
Country: Czechia
Language: EN

European citizens were promised by you a geopolitical union. Ukrainian citizens were promised unconditional support for their efforts to stop Russia. Today, both promises risk not being a long-lasting reality. As the USA discusses openly the withdrawal of their support to Ukraine, the EU is also fighting over the budget and thus hasn’t yet responded decisively: ‘you can count on us for good’. The revision of the EU budget and the decisive opening of the negotiations with Ukraine is what we want to hear tomorrow from the Council. Dear Secretary of State, can you please convey that message? At this same moment, we are also challenged from the inside by Viktor Orbán, who keeps blackmailing the EU to be allowed to infringe the rule of law. President von der Leyen, let me address you directly: if the Commission now pays Mr. Orbán a fat cheque, it will be just the payment of a ransom. It will tell everyone that bullying does work. You need to explain here today: what are you deciding, and why are you deciding? Because from the outside, I have to tell you, it looks really nasty. Because, dear President, threats to the rule of law may come from many other bullies after this decision on Orbán. After nurturing Mr. Orbán in its ranks for a decade, to see him then just grow wild and leave its ranks, the EPP is now flirting with a new set of bullies that will be the Orbáns of tomorrow. The EPP didn’t even just flirt with the far right: it actually married them in Italy, in Sweden, in Finland, and even in my country and in Spain at the regional level. The far right’s growth was allowed, was fuelled by this support by the EPP, but also by the financial crisis, by the lack of solidarity in the migratory crisis.  But now it is the cost of living crisis that is allowing frustration and hatred to grow again. People are suffering from the cost of living crisis, and the Council now needs to give a completely different signal, and that’s also what we await from you on the new fiscal rules. The trade unions, they are out there and they are saying to Europe, ‘we reject the pro-cyclical austerity the Council is discussing’. They are voicing the concerns of millions of Europeans.  The ball is now on your side, on the Council side, we want you to listen to the cry of the people, don’t stay indifferent because we are here indeed to make a difference.
Debate: Preparation of the European Council meeting of - December
Date: WEDNESDAY, 13 DECEMBER 2023
Speaker: Hilde Vautmans
Political group: Renew
Country: Romania
Language: NL

Viktor Orbán, verkozen met een anti-Europees programma, werpt nu al weken zijn schaduw op deze top. Eén man die op de rem staat, gijzelt de hele Europese bevolking en de dappere Oekraïners. De veiligheid van onze burgers is geen politiek spel. We mogen dus niet toegeven. Als we Orbán één vinger geven, dan neemt hij onze hele hand. Wat mij betreft en wat dit Parlement betreft, moeten wij heel erg dringend de artikel 7—procedure doorzetten. Iemand die onze waarden en normen zo schendt, mogen we geen euro geven, geen cent Europees geld. En ontneem hem alstublieft zijn stemrecht. Het is duidelijker dan ooit: we moeten af van die verlammende unanimiteit. Hoe laten we het toch telkens toe dat iemand zo heel de boel blokkeert? Eén man die alles op het spel zet, die onze veiligheid op het spel zet. Hetzelfde eigenlijk met de uitbreiding. Ik ben heel erg blij dat uitbreiding op de agenda staat van deze top, maar ik hoor heel weinig over die noodzakelijke hervorming, die verdieping. We hebben tijdens de vorige zitting hier voor een uitstekend verslag gestemd van collega Guy Verhofstadt over hoe we de Unie moeten hervormen om klaar te zijn. We zijn nu met 27. We zien toch dat het niet werkt? We kunnen niet de speed geven aan Europa die Europa nu moet tonen. Dus alstublieft, maak werk van die hervorming van de Unie. Schaf de unanimiteit af, maak een kleinere Commissie, zorg voor een echte minister van Buitenlandse Zaken voor onze Europese Unie, zodat wij klare taal kunnen spreken op dat Europese toneel. Maak die geopolitieke Commissie waar u zo sterk voor heeft geijverd. Het is nu of nooit, in het belang van Europa.