unimelb-nlp/MultiEup-v2 huggingface dataset:
Debate: The Global Gateway Initiative
Date: THURSDAY, 19 JANUARY 2023
Speaker: Adina-Ioana Vălean
Language: EN

I understood that many of you are worried about the ability of the project to deliver on the SDGs, and especially the eradication of poverty. But indeed, I think if the Global Gateway will build infrastructure, which is essential for the development of economies, if it will create jobs, then of course if we look, for example, at many projects which are aimed at building up sustainable agriculture and food chains like the one on agricultural value chains in Africa, I think all these are proof of the fact that Global Gateway supports all the SDGs, and this is its main focus.  Many have raised the issue of having or not clear priorities. The Global Gateway was launched in 2021. Of course, results take time, but with the flagships for 2023 I think you will find this will show significant progress. The Commission proposal for flagship projects for 2023 will be sent to the Council in the following days and then will arrive to you in the European Parliament.  This brings us to the political steer of projects, because once those projects sent to the Council and Parliament, then you will be able to contribute with your knowledge and to steer the Commission proposal for flagships for 2023, and this is going to happen rather soon. I would like also to highlight and emphasise some of the points that were made. I need to underline that the need for stronger cooperation and collaboration between all relevant European actors is absolutely essential. Since 2020, when the COVID crisis first catalysed a steep change in the Team Europe approach, we have made good progress in bringing core European players together for greater synergy and impact, and the European Parliament is an important part of that and we need to maintain – as was asked here today – a constructive dialogue, and we need to continue this positive trend in 2023.  A business advisory group is being established as we speak. Civil society dialogue is ongoing through the Policy Forum for Development, we organise the European Development Days focused on global gateways and we intend to organise a similar event in 2023.  Second, we must continue to reach out, listen to and engage with the private sector as they are a key engine for Global Gateway’s ultimate success. It was asked here, and we discussed about leveraging the fund or else we won’t have enough for all the needs and the impact we intend to have.  Third, we need to continue to communicate the message tirelessly to our partner countries that Global Gateway offers high quality, sustainable investment that will support their own plans and objectives for recovery and sustainable growth following the crisis of recent years. So we look forward to working together with the European Parliament on all these issues in order for Global Gateway to deliver positive change across the world.  Dear President, dear Members, thank you once again for your interest and cooperation on this very important issue.
Debate: Extension of the term of office of special committees and committees of inquiry
Date: THURSDAY, 19 JANUARY 2023
Speaker: Evelyn Regner
Country: Netherlands
Language: DE

Keine Einwände gab es gegen die gestern angekündigte dreimonatige Verlängerung der Amtszeit des Sonderausschusses zu den Erkenntnissen aus der COVID-19-Pandemie und Empfehlungen für die Zukunft, des Sonderausschusses zur Einflussnahme aus dem Ausland auf alle demokratischen Prozesse in der Europäischen Union, einschließlich Desinformation, und des Untersuchungsausschusses zum Einsatz von Pegasus und ähnlicher Überwachungs- und Spähsoftware. Diese Verlängerungen gelten daher als angenommen.
Debate: Investment practices of sustainable investment funds
Date: THURSDAY, 19 JANUARY 2023
Speaker: Valter Flego
Political group: Renew
Country: Sweden
Language: HR

Poštovani, u mnogo smo navrata ovdje razgovarali o negativnim aspektima ovog nesretnog rata u Ukrajini, ali osim činjenice da je Europa danas jedinstvenija nego ikada, taj rat ima još jednu pozitivnu posljedicu koja će se u slijedećih pet do sedam godina sasvim sigurno reflektirati i koja će biti vrlo vidljiva, a to je ponovna industrijalizacija Europske unije. Naravno, na održiv i samostalan, samoodrživ način. Shvatili smo, naime, da se trebamo okrenuti sebi, jačati proizvodnju u Europi, poljoprivredu, kako bismo sve manje i manje ovisili o različitim režimima, vođama ili monopolistima. I tu sada, a i u budućnosti, vidim važnu ulogu kapitala i fondova. Prema tome, s tim činjenicama na umu trebamo raditi na regulatornim mjerama kako bi i fondovi, osim javnog sektora, ulagali u održive projekte koji će vratiti snagu i liderstvo europskoj ekonomiji baziranoj na održivosti, na zelenom i digitalnom. Nažalost, često profit ima kratkoročnu logiku. I da, nažalost, neodrživo poslovanje i ulaganje često ima veći profit od održivog, ali zato upravo mi trebamo gledati efekte ulaganja na okoliš i ukupno društvo. I ne samo danas, nego dugoročno. A sve to što sam naveo još je izraženije za područje središnje i istočne Europe, gdje je ulaganja u održive projekte koji će doprinijeti borbi protiv klimatskih promjena, još uvijek, na žalost, izrazito malo. Dakle, znajući da su mnoge gospodarske djelatnosti u Europi i dalje veliki izvor emisija ugljika, mislim da moramo biti svjesni kako, bez velikih ulaganja u energetski sektor i održivo gospodarstvo, Europa neće postići svoje ciljeve zelenog plana, a to bi bilo neoprostivo. Zato, poštovana povjerenice, mislim da je krajnje vrijeme da jasno definiramo i kažemo kako je održivost ispred kratkoročnog profita. I to treba jasno regulirati.
Debate: Investment practices of sustainable investment funds
Date: THURSDAY, 19 JANUARY 2023
Speaker: Joachim Kuhs
Political group: ID
Country: Greece
Language: DE

Einst arbeiteten Nationen auf Augenhöhe zusammen, um ihre Volkswirtschaften zu stärken. Heute haben sie sich zu einer politischen Union entwickelt, in der die reicheren Länder für die ärmeren, ja für die Armen der ganzen Welt bezahlen sollen. Wir sehen das beim Krieg, zum Beispiel in der Ukraine, der jetzt dazu missbraucht wird, eine monatliche Milliardenspende für die Regierung der Ukraine zu begründen. Wir sehen es bei der sogenannten Corona-Pandemie, die zu einer Art Gesundheitsunion geführt hat, in der die Mitgliedstaaten in einer selbst definierten Notlage nicht mehr entscheiden dürfen, was für sie am besten ist. Und wir sehen es beim Grünen Deal, bei dem es auch durch den sogenannten Wiederaufbaufonds um gigantische Geldsummen geht, die sich keiner mehr vorstellen und auch leisten kann. Aufgrund all dieser Fehlentwicklungen sind wir jetzt unter anderem von starker Inflation und Armut bedroht sowie mit ansteigenden Depressionen und sogar Selbstmorden konfrontiert. In diesen schweren Zeiten wäre eine Investition in unsere Menschen und in unsere Volkswirtschaften eine angemessene, notwendige und nachhaltige Investition. Aber nein, nicht bei uns! Die EU investiert lieber in den Grünen Deal und woke Programme, die unsere Volkswirtschaften schädigen und unsere hart arbeitenden Menschen in die Verzweiflung treiben, weil sie sich das normale Leben nicht mehr leisten können. Unsere Ökonomien und Kulturen werden für grüne Ideologien über Bord geworfen, und die Einwohner Europas leiden unter Terrorismus, Gewalt und Diskriminierung aufgrund von Antisemitismus und Christenfeindlichkeit. Sogar Ausdrucksformen unseres christlichen Erbes wie Weihnachten und Sankt Martin werden inzwischen als diskriminierend angesehen. Es ist an der Zeit, dass wir aufwachen, die Wahrheit erkennen und die notwendigen Änderungen für eine bessere Zukunft vornehmen. Schluss mit dem Grüner-Deal-Wahnsinn, den woken Ideologien, dem Gender-Unsinn und der Masseneinwanderung! Werte Kollegen, fangen wir an, in unser Leben, unsere Zukunft, unsere Familien und unsere Kultur zu investieren – das wäre eine wirklich gute und nachhaltige Investition.
Debate: Investment practices of sustainable investment funds
Date: THURSDAY, 19 JANUARY 2023
Speaker: Victor Negrescu
Political group: S-D
Country: Finland
Language: RO

Doamna președintă, dragi colegi, avem nevoie de un cadru de reglementare european care să asigure dezvoltarea sustenabilă a Uniunii Europene și a statelor membre. Spre exemplu, referitor la fondurile europene, există ținte clare, dar nu este suficient. Trebuie să ne asigurăm că proiectele implementate cu resursele europene sunt cu adevărat sustenabile, inclusiv în privința materiilor prime folosite sau condițiilor sociale ale salariaților, pentru a combate, spre exemplu, concurența neloială din partea altor state non-europene. Dar pentru sustenabilitate avem nevoie și de un plus de responsabilitate din partea mediului privat, în mod special marele capital, și de un regim fiscal sustenabil. Companiile care au înregistrat profituri uriașe în contextul crizelor pe care le-am traversat, spre exemplu, companiile din domeniul energiei trebuie să și demonstreze solidaritatea inclusiv printr o taxare adecvată, așa cum s-a propus acum, recent, în cadrul Forumului de la Davos, oferind resurse suplimentare statelor pentru investiții sustenabile.  Avem nevoie de o uniformizare a practicilor pentru ca toate statele să poată beneficia de oportunitățile oferite, de o abordare sustenabilă și de cadrul oferit de reglementările europene.
Debate: Investment practices of sustainable investment funds
Date: THURSDAY, 19 JANUARY 2023
Speaker: Mick Wallace
Political group: The Left
Country: Germany
Language: EN

Madam President, yet again, we’re seeing more rampant greenwashing. The Sustainable Financial Disclosure Regulation is clearly flawed as more than half of the dark green under Article 9 are levels of investment in the fossil fuel industry and in aviation. This money with green credentials flows to investment in big oil and the likes of Shell, Total, BP and Saudi Aramco; the airline companies Lufthansa, Air France, KLM; and to coal giants. In what world are these practices considered as not doing significant harm, as Article 9 states? The greenwashing of financial markets has proven to be very lucrative, with over 619 billion invested in these funds with a promise of sustainability. The European Securities and Markets Authority has outlined the innumerous labelling violations of dark green funds, but the enforcement of regulation has been lacking. How does the Commission plan on legally defining greenwashing to enforce the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation and Article 9?
Debate: Investment practices of sustainable investment funds
Date: THURSDAY, 19 JANUARY 2023
Speaker: Clare Daly
Political group: The Left
Country: France
Language: EN

Madam President, I think there is an irony here that we’re talking about sustainable investment funds against the backdrop of yet another scandal in terms of the EU institutions. Fresh on the heels of the Qatargate buying of influence, we’ve had the revelations of monthly allowances given to MEPs to pay for office supplies being used to purchase shares in arms, tobacco, mining and fossil fuel industries in order to finance a heavily indebted European Parliament voluntary pension scheme. This included tens of thousands of shares in US arms industries which manufactured cluster munitions which were banned in 2008. And if that wasn’t bad enough, some of the monies were being paid in offshore tax havens like Bermuda and the Cayman Islands. What’s more, the
Debate: Investment practices of sustainable investment funds
Date: THURSDAY, 19 JANUARY 2023
Speaker: Adina-Ioana Vălean
Language: EN

I would like to recall that the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation is still a relatively new framework. The flexibility in it was considered necessary when the file was negotiated back in 2018-2019. We’re still early days in the development of our ambitious sustainable finance agenda. Now, a few years later, we look at the agreement with different eyes and with much more experience of ESG. The launch of a comprehensive assessment, including workshops with industry and other stakeholders’ groups and a public consultation, will be an opportunity to take stock and see how the framework can be improved and to address, if deemed necessary, some of the shortcomings reported in the press. A word on aviation, since I am a Transport Commissioner and it happened that I’m attending your debate today. Aviation remains a key sector for our industrial competitiveness and for the connectivity and single market. Its decarbonisation is set on a clear course towards carbon neutrality, both with our ReFuelEU aviation blending mandate, with sustainable fuels, the ETS reform and kerosene taxation. All offer a strong regulatory framework for this decarbonisation path. However, without funding for new clean technologies and best-in-class aircraft, this decarbonisation will slow down. Companies will be less competitive and will be stuck with old polluting planes. That is why we are currently reflecting on the scope of activities to be covered in the next delegated act on taxonomy, and we are assessing the report by the Platform on Sustainable Finance. So, this being said, I really appreciate your contribution to the debate and, in the future, your support for this very important topic.
Debate: The establishment of a tribunal on the crime of aggression against Ukraine
Date: THURSDAY, 19 JANUARY 2023
Speaker: Eugen Tomac
Political group: PPE
Country: France
Language: RO

Doamna președintă, doamna comisară, războiul de agresiune declanșat de Rusia încalcă orice normă de drept internațional, distrugând pacea cu greu câștigată pe continentul european, iar cei care distrug pacea trebuie să fie aspru pedepsiți.  Dacă instrumentele Curții Penale Internaționale nu sunt suficiente pentru a ne asigura că justiția este înfăptuită, neavând jurisdicție asupra crimei de agresiune, atunci avem nevoie de un nou instrument, de un tribunal special pentru Ucraina. Mesajul transmis astăzi de Parlamentul European prin vot este unul extrem de clar și de puternic. Liderii de la Kremlin, împreună cu criminalul Putin trebuie să plătească pentru distrugerea unei țări și pentru miile de vieți omorâte în acest război crunt și fără sens.  Avem datoria să facem dreptate nu doar pentru cetățenii ucraineni, ci pentru toți cetățenii lumii care trebuie să trăiască în pace.
Debate: The establishment of a tribunal on the crime of aggression against Ukraine
Date: THURSDAY, 19 JANUARY 2023
Speaker: Clare Daly
Political group: The Left
Country: France
Language: EN

Madam President, I voted against this resolution. Of course Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was a crime of aggression, and in a just world that crime would never go unpunished. But we find ourselves in a world of our own making. This March marks the 20th anniversary of the horrific crime of aggression against Iraq perpetuated by the coalition of the willing, including our very own Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Netherlands, Denmark and Spain. I want to see war criminals punished. But after 20 years of impunity for the brigands who wrecked Iraq, the proposal before us is just pure fantasy. International law is upheld by consensus. It either applies to all states equally or it doesn’t work. And those before us who move this motion, really the goal is not justice. It’s to scupper peace, which is the only way to stop the slaughter now. If you want to put Putin behind bars, fine, but you have absolutely no credibility whatsoever unless you bring Bush, Blair and all his European counterparts with him.
Debate: EU response to the protests and executions in Iran
Date: THURSDAY, 19 JANUARY 2023
Speaker: Mick Wallace
Political group: The Left
Country: Germany
Language: EN

Madam President, I have condemned the nature of the crackdown on the protests in Iran. The numbers of protesters killed in the streets is a travesty, and I abhor the death penalty no matter where it’s used. Yet there are too many lies and omissions in this resolution, and I had to vote against it. These are peaceful protests. Many young people in Iran have had enough of the overbearing influence of religion on how their society is organised. If I was in Iran, I’d be protesting too. But it doesn’t help matters that the US and some of its allies are looking for regime change and have boasted about getting arms to groups in Iran who have also got involved in the protests. And there is no mention of the biggest killer in Iran: western sanctions. Our sanctions hurt the ordinary people the most; sanctions which are illegal unless authorised by the UN, but the EU doesn’t seem to have a problem with ignoring the UN Charter these days. And this resolution is calling for more of them? Absolute madness!
Debate: EU response to the protests and executions in Iran
Date: THURSDAY, 19 JANUARY 2023
Speaker: Clare Daly
Political group: The Left
Country: France
Language: EN

Madam President, I oppose the death penalty categorically in any country it is used, and I abhor its use in Iran as part of a crackdown against people exercising their rights to shape their own country and its laws. Iran has a valid desire to keep its sovereignty, but the approach it is now taking risks losing it. Meeting public anger and legitimate demands for reform with vicious state repression is not only horrific, it leaves dissenters with no peaceful options, pushing them underground, encouraging the resort to violence and opening the door for foreign interference, leading to the destabilisation of the country. Imperialist meddling is a fact, but it is not an excuse. The choice is stark: bend or break. If there is no justice for its victims, and demands are not urgently addressed, then I am fearful for Iran’s future. I would have supported the motion, but it goes far beyond what is acceptable in a human rights resolution. UN action is of course right. I support that. But colleagues here are throwing in geopolitical demands, trying to sabotage nuclear talks, dragging in the war in Ukraine, blocking constructive engagement and pushing for more failed sanctions that have only made things worse, so I voted against.
Debate: Control of the financial activities of the European Investment Bank - annual report
Date: THURSDAY, 19 JANUARY 2023
Speaker: Mick Wallace
Political group: The Left
Country: Germany
Language: EN

Madam President, the report is silent on the European Investment Bank’s strategic European security initiative and the relentless attempts by the Council, the Commission, the European Defence Agency, as well as the arms industry to undermine the restrictions that prevent the EIB from investing in arms and core defence projects. The EIB strategic European security initiative commits financing of up to EUR 6 billion to dual—use projects seeking to develop security and defence systems in Europe. The EIB also signed a programme agreement establishing a cooperative financial mechanism with the European Defence Agency in 2019. In its 2022 roadmap on critical technologies for security and defence, on page 7, the Commission laments the fact that the EIB’s lending policy still has restrictions that prevent it from lending to the defence sector. How bad! The EIB should have nothing to do with the arms industry, nor should it finance anything that can double up as weapons, arms or military software or hardware.
Debate: Small-scale fisheries situation in the EU and future perspectives
Date: THURSDAY, 19 JANUARY 2023
Speaker: Mick Wallace
Political group: The Left
Country: Germany
Language: EN

Madam President, blue whiting are in our Irish waters at a time of year when they are in prime condition for food production and so close to our ports that Ireland needs to ensure that a fair and equitable access agreement is negotiated by the EU Commission with Norway. Irish fish that swim, spawn and breed in Irish waters need to be a benefit for the people of Ireland who are closest to the resource, as prescribed under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Sadly, Irish fishing boats are allowed to catch no more than 3.9% of the stock in our own waters. It’s to be welcomed that Norway’s recent attempt to secure unfettered access to our blue whiting grounds has been challenged by the EU Commission. It’s long past time for Irish coastal communities to be given a fair share of the fish that’s born and bred in Irish waters. It’s only fair.
Debate: Small-scale fisheries situation in the EU and future perspectives
Date: THURSDAY, 19 JANUARY 2023
Speaker: Clare Daly
Political group: The Left
Country: France
Language: EN

Madam President, 50 years ago, Ireland joined the European Union. Norway did not. Fifty years on, Norway’s fish exports are worth 14 billion, where Ireland’s are worth half a billion. There is a direct link between the two. Ireland has had to suffer its third decommissioning scheme, slashing the size of its fleet while Norway’s keeps growing and growing. And the shafting of our fisheries as price for European Union membership has long been an open secret. But it’s gone on long enough. It’s long past time Irish fishers were given a fair share of our own waters. How is it right that Belgium has access to 67% of our sole, where we have only 3%? And despite the claims, of the 72 stocks in Irish waters, only 3 are overfished, and they’re not overfished by Irish fishers. We need a review. We need the input of those who do the fishing and we need a deal for the amounts not used. I voted for this motion.
Debate: Formal sitting – International Holocaust Remembrance Day
Date: THURSDAY, 26 JANUARY 2023
Speaker: Roberta Metsola
Country: Poland
Language: EN

Dear Members, dear colleagues, we gather here today for this solemn ceremony to mark the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust, in the presence of the President of the State of Israel. President Herzog, welcome to the European Parliament. Before we begin I would like to invite you to turn your attention to the screens to watch a short video in remembrance of all the victims of the Holocaust.
Debate: Corrigendum
Date: WEDNESDAY, 1 FEBRUARY 2023
Speaker: Roberta Metsola
Country: Poland
Language: EN

The ENVI Committee has transmitted a corrigendum to a text adopted by Parliament. Pursuant to Rule 241(4) this corrigendum will be deemed approved unless, no later than 24 hours after its announcement, a request is made by a political group or Members reaching at least the low threshold that it be put to the vote. The corrigendum is available on the Plenary webpage; its title will be published in the minutes of this sitting.
Debate: Negotiations ahead of Parliament’s first reading
Date: WEDNESDAY, 1 FEBRUARY 2023
Speaker: Roberta Metsola
Country: Poland
Language: EN

The LIBE Committee has decided to enter into interinstitutional negotiations pursuant to Rule 71(1) of the Rules of Procedure. The report which constitutes the mandate for the negotiations is available on the plenary webpage and its title will be published in the minutes of the sitting. Pursuant to Rule 71(2), Members or political groups reaching at least the medium threshold may request in writing by tomorrow, Thursday 2 February at midnight, that the decision be put to the vote. If no request for a vote in Parliament is made before the deadline, the committee may start the negotiations.