unimelb-nlp/MultiEup-v2 huggingface dataset:
Debate: Implementation of the Regulations on the European citizens' initiative
Date: MONDAY, 12 JUNE 2023
Speaker: Mick Wallace
Political group: The Left
Country: Germany
Language: EN

Madam President, the European Citizens’ Initiative, in theory, is a democratic, participatory instrument at EU level that has faced many hurdles in addressing the democratic deficits of the EU. Revisions of the initiative remove some of the bureaucratic obstacles which had been previously riddled with legal and practical issues. But the discretionary powers of the Commission are certainly a major challenge still. The Commission retains discretion as to the actions it intends to take, if any, according to the regulation. An unelected body with absolute authority over implementing initiatives isn’t too compatible with the idea of direct democracy, as promoted by the citizens’ initiatives.  So how can European citizens initiatives address democratic deficit in the EU?
Debate: Implementation of the Regulations on the European citizens' initiative
Date: MONDAY, 12 JUNE 2023
Speaker: Clare Daly
Political group: The Left
Country: France
Language: EN

Madam President, I think there’s some very good ideas in the report, and they are the absolute minimum really to improve on what could be a good way to make citizens feel much more empowered. And I’d like to pay tribute to all of the people and all of the groups who’ve got involved in this process to date. One of the initiatives which made us, and we all know how much work it takes and how much dedication, was the measure to ban the shark fin trade, which we celebrated last week on World Ocean Day, and reminded ourselves of the importance on how we need our sharks.  But there’s no point in citizens taking this effort if the outcome is not going to be delivered upon. Now, this vehicle is trumpeted as a way in which citizens can play a direct role in policymaking. If that’s to be the case, then the outcome has to result in an action at the end of it. And I think the measure has to be extended to go beyond just initiating legislation, but also stopping measures that are already in place. It’s a good step in the right direction.
Debate: Implementation of the Regulations on the European citizens' initiative
Date: MONDAY, 12 JUNE 2023
Speaker: Alin Mituța
Political group: Renew
Country: Germany
Language: RO

Inițiativa cetățenească europeană este, fără îndoială, un instrument bun pentru democrația europeană, însă are o vizibilitate redusă, semnăturile sunt greu de strâns și eficiența este scăzută.  Nu putem să avem un instrument eficient fără sprijin financiar adecvat, fără campanii de conștientizare și fără utilizarea noilor tehnologii.  De aceea, Comisia ar trebui să ofere sprijin financiar progresiv pentru inițiativele care ating anumite praguri în colectarea semnăturilor, încurajând astfel un proces bazat pe performanță. O promovare eficientă se poate realiza prin mai multe campanii de comunicare și programe de educație civică. Este nevoie, de asemenea, de utilizarea noilor tehnologii în colectarea semnăturilor, cum ar fi sistemele eID. Crearea unui hub al tuturor instrumentelor de participare cetățenească utilizate în Uniunea Europeană ar ușura accesul la acestea.  Inițiativa Cetățenească Europeană va deveni în viitor un instrument mai ușor de utilizat și eficient. Îi îndemn pe cetățeni să-l folosească, să-și facă auzite vocile și să aducă schimbări în Uniunea Europeană.
Debate: Humanitarian and environmental consequences of the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam - Sustainable reconstruction and integration of Ukraine into the Euro-Atlantic community
Date: TUESDAY, 13 JUNE 2023
Speaker: Roberts Zīle
Language: LV

Pirmais darba kārtības punkts ir kopīgās debates par Ukrainu - Padomes un Komisijas paziņojumi par humanitārajām un vidiskajām sekām pēc Novakahovkas dambja sagraušanas (2023/2738( RSP)) un - Padomes un Komisijas paziņojumi par Ukrainas ilgtspējīgu rekonstrukciju un integrāciju eiroatlantiskajā kopienā (
Debate: Humanitarian and environmental consequences of the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam - Sustainable reconstruction and integration of Ukraine into the Euro-Atlantic community
Date: TUESDAY, 13 JUNE 2023
Speaker: Rasa Juknevičienė
Political group: PPE
Country: Germany
Language: EN

This requires even more courage than we have shown so far. Putin likes it when the world fears him. I am not sure that we have learnt all of our lessons. Fear led some NATO countries in Bucharest not to grant MAP to Ukraine. Now we have a chance to correct our mistakes. The EPP Group recently adopted a position on Ukraine’s membership of NATO. The EPP expects that the upcoming Vilnius and Washington summits pave the way to extend an invitation to Ukraine to join NATO, and that the accession process will start after the war is over and be finalised as soon as possible. Why is this particularly important? First, a grey security zone of the size of Ukraine between Russia and the West would pose a permanent temptation. Second, Ukrainian battle-tested and Western-equipped armed forces would provide significant military added value in Europe. Third, it will unite us to guarantee sustainable peace on the European continent. And fourth, it will prevent any future possible aggressive revenge and stop Russian neo-imperial expansionism. ‘Do not be afraid’, said Pope Paul II back in the Soviet times. And Ukrainians are not afraid. Let us not be afraid to take bold steps today. Putin’s dictatorship is not power. Freedom is power.
Debate: Humanitarian and environmental consequences of the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam - Sustainable reconstruction and integration of Ukraine into the Euro-Atlantic community
Date: TUESDAY, 13 JUNE 2023
Speaker: Viola von Cramon-Taubadel
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: Ireland
Language: DE

Die Sprengung des Kachowka-Staudamms ist ein weiterer neuer Tiefpunkt des mörderischen Tyrannen. Die Ukraine und unsere Geheimdienste haben uns allerdings davor gewarnt. Das gilt auch für die Videos, in denen russisches Militär mit der Anbringung von Sprengmaterial im Staudamm prahlte. Seit Beginn der Invasion haben die Russen allein den Damm kontrolliert. Die seismische Station hat eine Explosion im Inneren des Bauwerks festgestellt, nicht durch externe Projektile, wie russische Propagandisten behaupten. Widersprüchlich, inkompetent, feige – kurzum, dieses Verbrechen trägt eindeutig russische Fingerabdrücke. Kachowka ist die Fortsetzung von Russlands Ökozid in der Ukraine. Russlands imperialistischer Instinkt diktiert: Wenn ich es nicht haben kann, sollst auch du es nicht haben. Die russischen Besatzer holzen massiv und illegal ukrainische Wälder ab, um ihren blutigen Krieg zu finanzieren. Sie haben ukrainische Industrieanlagen zerstört und damit toxische Substanzen in Boden, Wasser und Luft freigesetzt. Sie haben Phosphor und andere chemische Waffen eingesetzt und damit Flora und Fauna vernichtet. Sie haben Tausende von Quadratkilometern Land und Meer vermint. Sie haben unzähligen Wild- und Nutztieren Leid und Tod zugefügt. Allein im Zoo von Kachowka sind mehr als 200 Tiere ertrunken. Die Besatzer sind in Panik. Sie haben den Damm gesprengt, weil sie auf dem Rückzug sind. Ihr einziges Ziel ist es nun, verbrannte Erde zu hinterlassen. Das ist der Anfang vom Ende. Wenn ihre Verteidigungslinien bröckeln, wird auch Putins Regime zusammenbrechen. Russland wird für alle Verbrechen − diesen Ökozid eingeschlossen − zur Rechenschaft gezogen werden. In der Zwischenzeit wird sich auch die Ukraine nicht nur durchsetzen, sondern auch wieder aufblühen – und das nicht nur, weil gestern die Fußballnationalmannschaft fast gegen Deutschland gewonnen hat. Die Ukraine wird sicher ein Gewinn für die EU und die NATO sein. Dieser Tag wird kommen.
Debate: Humanitarian and environmental consequences of the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam - Sustainable reconstruction and integration of Ukraine into the Euro-Atlantic community
Date: TUESDAY, 13 JUNE 2023
Speaker: Anna Fotyga
Political group: ECR
Country: Denmark
Language: EN

Vice-President, Minister, the long list of efforts of the EU you mentioned during your speech is commendable. Yet I have to appeal to all of us to step up our efforts because much more is needed to help Ukraine really decisively win this war. Blowing up Nova Kakhovka means not only suffering of people, although my heart is with them, but shows the totally new method used in warfare by the Russian Federation – clearly asymmetric methods, and therefore I strongly support what you said in your last sentence, Vice—President, and what Rasa Juknevičienė said today: we have to respond positively to the will of the Ukrainian people to join NATO and the EU as soon as possible. It is not only for their security. It is for the security of all of us.
Debate: Humanitarian and environmental consequences of the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam - Sustainable reconstruction and integration of Ukraine into the Euro-Atlantic community
Date: TUESDAY, 13 JUNE 2023
Speaker: Jaak Madison
Political group: ID
Country: France
Language: EN

Where I’m a bit more concerned is about with the hope only for the sanctions because sanctions can be effective in the long term but we have never won any war with Russia only with the sanctions. I just checked about the numbers. The majority of Western companies are still doing business as usual in Russia; only 8 % of the companies have left Russia. So the sanctions are always tricky. So it’s harming both sides but, unfortunately, it’s not harming enough Russia. So there is an absolutely clear logic that we need more military aid to Ukraine to win the war.  To reconstruct Ukraine, first of all, we win the war. We have to win the war and then we can continue.  Secondly, of course, we have to finance Ukraine to build up Ukraine again, but there has to be absolutely total control over the funds, what we are using from our taxpayers in Ukraine because well we shouldn’t forget that the corruption problem is not solved. It’s not like gone in Ukraine with the war. So we just have to take this into account. But there is, of course, no doubt that we have to help to build up Ukraine again with the funds from the EU, from the European countries, but with absolutely clear control over the funds.  Third point, if we want to really win the war and if we want to punish the aggressor, for me, it was absolutely like not understandable to read few days ago when Mr Macron, the French President, said that he was not doing nothing to block the Russian athletes to participate next year in the Olympic Games in Paris. At the same time, we know clearly from the numbers that from the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Russia won 71 medals and 45 of them were from that leads who are members of the Russian army. So their family members on the same time are occupying and fighting in Ukraine. And Russia has always used sport as a part of the propaganda. There is no different things like sport and the military actions; it’s always connected. And I would like to see next year in the Olympic Games how Russia is using in the propaganda, their medals in Paris that they are part of the normal life, that nothing has happened. So they are just continuing to be part of the Olympic Games. And can we imagine that the Ukrainian athletes are shaking hands around the same competition with the Russian athletes who are part of the aggression? This has to be an absolutely clear message from the EU.
Debate: Humanitarian and environmental consequences of the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam - Sustainable reconstruction and integration of Ukraine into the Euro-Atlantic community
Date: TUESDAY, 13 JUNE 2023
Speaker: Helmut Scholz
Political group: The Left
Country: Luxembourg
Language: DE

Jeder neue Kriegstag fordert neues Leid, neue Zerstörungen, und der Dammbruch von Nowa Kachowka ist ein weiteres trauriges Beispiel dafür, dass gerade die Zivilbevölkerung unter der russischen Aggression leidet. Mein Mitgefühl, unsere Solidarität mit der betroffenen Bevölkerung. Trotzdem – und da stimme ich Ihnen zu, Herr Vizepräsident – ist es wichtig, sich schon jetzt mit dem Wiederaufbau der Ukraine zu befassen. Die Herausforderungen sind gigantisch. Schon jetzt wird der Wiederaufbau mehr als das Doppelte der ukrainischen Wirtschaftsleistung verschlingen. Das Land wirbt im Ausland um Kapital – Sie haben davon gesprochen –, und Investoren wie BlackRock lassen sich nicht zweimal bitten. Letzterer ist bereits von der Selenskyj-Administration kostenfrei zum Träger des ukrainischen Entwicklungsfonds benannt worden. Lassen Sie es mich auch deutlich sagen: Nach dem Krieg darf nicht vor dem Ausverkauf sein. Können Bäuerinnen und Bauern weiter ihr eigenes und nicht ausländischen Investoren verkauftes Land bewirtschaften? Wie tragen wir zur Entminung bei? Schafft die Ukraine den Umstieg auf sichere und umweltfreundliche Energieträger? Wird die Demokratisierung von allen Bevölkerungsgruppen des Landes getragen werden können? Sehen junge, gut ausgebildete Ukrainerinnen weiter ihre Zukunft in einem modernen, zukunftsgewandten Land, in dem nicht länger oligarchische Strukturen und Korruption die Taschen einiger weniger im Land und außerhalb füllen, sondern sie sich einbringen können? All diese Fragen werden jetzt entschieden. Die Zivilgesellschaft muss mit am Tisch sitzen, wenn über den Wiederaufbau der Ukraine entschieden wird. Die Finanzhilfen der EU und der internationalen Staatengemeinschaften dürfen kein Öl ins Feuer der Privatisierung gießen. Das heißt, als erster Schritt sollte hier die Tilgung der Schulden der Ukraine bei IWF, Weltbank, internationalen Gläubigergemeinschaften und natürlich bei der EU stehen. Und auch der russische Staat muss unter transparenter internationaler Aufsicht diese Verantwortung übernehmen. Das sage ich hier sehr deutlich. Der Wiederaufbau muss ein Projekt sein, das den Menschen in der Ukraine Hoffnung gibt.
Debate: Humanitarian and environmental consequences of the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam - Sustainable reconstruction and integration of Ukraine into the Euro-Atlantic community
Date: TUESDAY, 13 JUNE 2023
Speaker: Miroslav Radačovský
Political group: NI
Country: Italy
Language: SK

Vážený pán predsedajúci, na východnom fronte horia nemecké tanky, obyvatelia Donecka, Luhanska a obyvatelia Krymu bojujú za svoje historické územia, ale predovšetkým tam zomierajú tisíce Slovanov. A Anglosasi? Chystajú sa na dovolenky, k moru, na Sardíniu. V Amerike sa natáčajú filmy v Hollywoode, chystá sa červený koberec na udeľovanie Oscarov. A na Ukrajine, nech sa tam zabíjajú. Nech sa tam vyhadzujú priehrady, nech sú tam ekologické katastrofy. Anglosasi snívajú svoj historický sen: dobyjeme Rusko, obsadíme Krym, prístavy v Čiernom mori a budeme spokojní, kľudní. Zastavme to. Prímerie, chápem, že je neprípustné, lebo prímerie je mier aj rokovanie. Zastavme to kvôli Slovanom, kvôli tomu, aby sa už v budúcnosti takéto veci neopakovali. Hovorím to úplne bez emócií, jasne. Všetci vieme, čo je príčina tejto vojny. Len si to nechceme priznať.
Debate: Humanitarian and environmental consequences of the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam - Sustainable reconstruction and integration of Ukraine into the Euro-Atlantic community
Date: TUESDAY, 13 JUNE 2023
Speaker: Radosław Sikorski
Political group: PPE
Country: Sweden
Language: EN

Mr President, I would like to thank the Commissioner for the presentation. Of course, we should always be aware that we are a confederation and that the contributions of the European institutions should be counted together with the contributions of the Member States. Of course, we need to do more, more urgently, but I hope that this outrage at Nova Kakhovka joins the long list of charges against the Russian leadership at The Hague or somewhere where we convene an international tribunal. I hope it also gives pause for thought. Who says that we should negotiate with Mr Putin? Would you really want to entrust the security of your country to the signature of a man who has ordered this outrage? No, ladies and gentlemen, the real negotiation is being done by the brave soldiers of the Ukrainian army. God bless them. I hope they negotiate all the way to the international boundaries of the Ukraine State.
Debate: Humanitarian and environmental consequences of the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam - Sustainable reconstruction and integration of Ukraine into the Euro-Atlantic community
Date: TUESDAY, 13 JUNE 2023
Speaker: Sven Mikser
Political group: S-D
Country: Hungary
Language: EN

Mr President, Commissioner, colleagues, let make just three brief points. First of all, reconstruction. It will be a long process, but it cannot wait until Ukraine has won the war. It will have to start now. Russia will eventually have to pay for all the damage they have done. But meanwhile, we must find legally sound ways to use the frozen assets of the aggressor to at least partially cover the cost of the effort. And we should make no mistake, reconstruction is going to be an enormous undertaking that requires the full participation of Ukrainian authorities and civil society, as well as the international community, including our Union.  Secondly, the reconstruction effort must not take our focus away from continued and growing need for military assistance to Ukraine. The counteroffensive to take back illegally occupied parts of Ukraine is just getting underway and during the increasingly intense fighting, the attrition is going to be enormous.  And finally, we must proceed swiftly and decisively with Ukraine’s European and Euro-Atlantic integration. For this is the only way to guarantee Ukraine’s and Europe’s security in a sustainable way.
Debate: Humanitarian and environmental consequences of the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam - Sustainable reconstruction and integration of Ukraine into the Euro-Atlantic community
Date: TUESDAY, 13 JUNE 2023
Speaker: Nathalie Loiseau
Political group: Renew
Country: Poland
Language: FR

Monsieur le Président, Madame la Ministre, Monsieur le Commissaire, pendant que nous préparons la reconstruction de l’Ukraine, la Russie, elle, poursuit son œuvre de destruction. Chaque jour, des vies sont fauchées, des habitations sont visées et des champs sont minés. La plus grande centrale nucléaire d’Europe, celle de Zaporijjia, est occupée par la Russie, qui y a entreposé du matériel militaire. Elle est à l’arrêt. Les suites de l’effondrement du barrage de Nova Kakhovka mettent la sécurité de la centrale en danger. Parlons-en de ce barrage. Que sait-on? Qu’il est en zone occupée par la Russie, que, quelques jours avant son effondrement, la Russie avait décidé d’interdire toute enquête dans un cas similaire, et qu’il n’y a donc pas d’enquête russe, pas plus qu’il n’y a de secours russe sur la rive gauche du Dniepr. Pire: que l’armée russe tire sur les secouristes ukrainiens qui essayent de sauver des vies. Alors, on vient nous dire: «On ne sait pas qui a fait le coup.» Souvenez-vous qu’on nous a dit la même chose en 2014, quand un avion de ligne a été abattu au-dessus du Donbass. On ne savait pas. Des années plus tard, la vérité a éclaté. La Russie était impliquée, mais nous avions détourné le regard. Ne le détournons pas de l’agression russe en Ukraine et de ses conséquences. La Russie devra être défaite et la Russie devra payer pour la reconstruction de ce qu’elle a détruit. Il n’y a pas d’autre voie.
Debate: Humanitarian and environmental consequences of the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam - Sustainable reconstruction and integration of Ukraine into the Euro-Atlantic community
Date: TUESDAY, 13 JUNE 2023
Speaker: Heidi Hautala
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: Poland
Language: EN

Mr President, last week, President Zelenskyy convened a remote meeting with some 50 global environmental leaders and personalities in the aftermath of the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam. He asked all of us present to alert opinions internationally towards this horrific crime, which is a war crime. The actions of the Russian aggressor may very well fall under the crime of ecocide. And, colleagues, you know that this House has called for ecocide to be enshrined in EU law, paving the way for better recognition and condemnation of ecocide under international law. And this is absolutely necessary. So we must do all we can to ensure accountability for this horrific crime and other destruction of the environment caused by the aggression.
Debate: Humanitarian and environmental consequences of the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam - Sustainable reconstruction and integration of Ukraine into the Euro-Atlantic community
Date: TUESDAY, 13 JUNE 2023
Speaker: Witold Jan Waszczykowski
Political group: ECR
Country: Romania
Language: PL

Panie Przewodniczący! Panie Komisarzu! Martwi mnie to, że pięćset dni po rozpoczęciu wojny Komisja ciągle zastanawia się, kiedy i jak pomóc Ukrainie. Nie można czekać na zakończenie wojny. Trzeba po pierwsze przedstawić jasną perspektywę członkostwa w instytucjach transatlantyckich. To wzmocni determinację obrony. Po drugie, pomóc państwom europejskim przekazać Ukrainie zamrożone pieniądze oligarchów. Po trzecie, wszelkie pieniądze z afer, takich jak Katargate, przekazać Ukrainie. I ostatnie, po czwarte, należy pomóc państwom, które pomagają Ukrainie. Nie przeszkadzać i nie wbijać im noża w plecy przez blokowanie KPO i innych funduszy. Dziękuję.
Debate: Humanitarian and environmental consequences of the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam - Sustainable reconstruction and integration of Ukraine into the Euro-Atlantic community
Date: TUESDAY, 13 JUNE 2023
Speaker: Anna Bonfrisco
Political group: ID
Country: Belgium
Language: IT

Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, signor Ministro, signor Commissario, questo è un momento senza precedenti per la sicurezza euroatlantica, una sicurezza che non ci può essere senza un Artico sicuro, un Mar Baltico sicuro, un Mar Nero sicuro, l'intero Mediterraneo allargato sicuro e un'Africa sicura. Ma la Russia ha invaso uno Stato sovrano euroatlantico, sconvolgendo molti aspetti della nostra sicurezza.  Nell'infliggere questa devastazione, la Russia ha un complice compiacente e molto potente: la Cina. In questo ambiente geopolitico rimaniamo impegnati a sostenere i bisogni urgenti dell'Ucraina e aumentare le sue capacità di combattimento a lungo termine.  Cari amici ucraini, non potendo vincere sul campo di battaglia, i russi hanno cercato di far morire di freddo nell'inverno la popolazione civile, di portare morte e distruzione ovunque con piogge di missili e ora cercano di affossarci economicamente, danneggiando immensamente le capacità produttive agricole. Ma la vostra resilienza, il coraggio e la determinazione nel difenderci tutti, ancora una volta ci impressiona, ci commuove e ci dà il coraggio e la convinzione di stare al vostro fianco fino alla fine, per mettere fine a ogni forma di violenza e di crimini contro l'umanità. E quella diga non versa solo acqua, ma tutte le lacrime del mondo civile.