unimelb-nlp/MultiEup-v2 huggingface dataset:
Debate: Rule of Law and media freedom in Greece
Date: WEDNESDAY, 17 JANUARY 2024
Speaker: Dimitrios Papadimoulis
Political group: The Left
Country: France
Language: EL

Κυρία Πρόεδρε, όσοι μίλησαν για μίσος εναντίον της Ελλάδας ή για σκοπιμότητες, οφείλουν να απαντήσουν σε ένα ερώτημα. Οι φιλελεύθεροι του Renew Europe, της ομάδας του Emmanuel Macron, μισούν τον Μητσοτάκη, υπονομεύουν την Ελλάδα; Γιατί είναι και αυτή η ομάδα που πρωτοστάτησε για να έχουμε αυτή τη συζήτηση και για να έχουμε και ένα ψήφισμα ως κατάληξη αυτής της συζήτησης στις αρχές του Φεβρουαρίου. Και δεύτερον, αγαπάμε την Ελλάδα και τη Δημοκρατία όσοι Έλληνες και Ελληνίδες επικρίνουμε τη ραγδαία υποχώρηση της ελευθερίας του Τύπου και του κράτους δικαίου τα τελευταία χρόνια με ευθύνη της κυβέρνησης Μητσοτάκη. Και η μεγαλύτερη απόδειξη ότι έχουν χειροτερέψει τα πράγματα είναι ότι αυτή η συζήτηση περί ελευθερίας του Τύπου αποσιωπάται, κυρία Πρόεδρε, από τη συντριπτική πλειοψηφία των μέσων Μαζικής Ενημέρωσης στην Ελλάδα, που είναι άκρως φιλοκυβερνητικά. Μια κατ' εξοχήν είδηση που ενδιαφέρει την Ελλάδα δεν υπάρχει για εκατομμύρια Ελληνίδες και Έλληνες, γιατί απλά δεν συμφέρει την κυβέρνηση Μητσοτάκη. Και αυτό είναι λάθος και πρέπει να διορθωθεί.
Debate: Rule of Law and media freedom in Greece
Date: WEDNESDAY, 17 JANUARY 2024
Speaker: Kostas Papadakis
Political group: NI
Country: Czechia
Language: EL

Κυρία Πρόεδρε, τεράστιες οι ευθύνες της κυβέρνησης της Νέας Δημοκρατίας και του Πρωθυπουργού για τις παρακολουθήσεις κομμάτων όπως του ΚΚΕ, πολιτικών, δημοσιογράφων, των πάντων, με τη συστηματική χρήση κατασκοπευτικών λογισμικών. Όμως, όλα αυτά είναι η κορυφή του ευρωενωσιακού παγόβουνου, που αποτελεί το σκοτεινό νομοθετικό πλαίσιο που έχουν διαμορφώσει όλες οι κυβερνήσεις διαχρονικά. Στα δε μέσα ενημέρωσης, το γεγονός ότι στην Ελλάδα και παντού στην ιδιοκτησία τους κατέχουν επιχειρηματικοί όμιλοι έχει ως συνέπεια την προληπτική λογοκρισία, όπως η αποσιώπηση της γενοκτονίας των Παλαιστινίων από το Ισραήλ και το σερβίρισμα των ισραηλινών fake news. Οδηγεί επίσης σε ανισότιμη προβολή του ΚΚΕ, με συντριβή εργασιακών δικαιωμάτων και δημοσιογράφους στόχους πιέσεων, επιχειρηματικών συμφερόντων και εκβιασμών, που όπως έχει δείξει η ζωή, κάποιοι από αυτούς πληρώνουν και με τη ζωή τους, όπως ο Καραϊβάζ. Να διερευνηθούν όλες οι υποθέσεις πολιτικά και ποινικά. Υπερασπιζόμαστε τα δικαιώματα των εργαζομένων και την ενημέρωση του λαού ως κοινωνικό αγαθό και όχι ως εμπόρευμα που είναι ασυμβίβαστη με την καπιταλιστική ιδιοκτησία στα μέσα ενημέρωσης.
Debate: Rule of Law and media freedom in Greece
Date: WEDNESDAY, 17 JANUARY 2024
Speaker: Maria Spyraki
Political group: PPE
Country: Romania
Language: EN

Madam President, I followed this debate very, very carefully and I would like to table two questions to colleague in ‘t Veld. The very first one is: do you really believe that we have to start cutting funding to Greece, like we did in Hungary? Do you believe that the Mitsotakis administration is behaving in the same manner like the Orbán administration? And please tell me yes or no, because it is important in this very moment, when Mitsotakis is initiating the same-sex marriage, despite the reaction in his own party, and all media are covering this situation. Second, do you believe that the situation in Greece is the same, like the situation in Slovakia? Is Mitsotakis Fico, who has already shut down the special prosecutor’s office? A lot of mistakes have been made and a lot of steps must be done, but the case in this place is that, in this very moment, this discussion, this debate is irrelevant. This discussion, this debate is misleading, and also the motion for resolution that we will discuss in February. This is because not only it is defaming my home country, it is undermining the credibility of this House, of this institution and it is being instrumentalised ahead of the election. This is the case and you have to say sorry to Greece for this.
Debate: Rule of Law and media freedom in Greece
Date: WEDNESDAY, 17 JANUARY 2024
Speaker: Didier Reynders
Language: FR

L'État de droit est d'une importance fondamentale, car il garantit la protection de toutes les autres valeurs, y compris le respect des droits fondamentaux et la démocratie. Un environnement médiatique libre et pluraliste est essentiel pour préserver l'État de droit, étant donné que les médias indépendants et libres demandent aux pouvoirs et aux institutions de rendre des comptes. S'agissant plus particulièrement de la situation en Grèce. Je voudrais répéter que nous apprécions la volonté des autorités grecques d'avoir un dialogue avec la Commission sur les réformes à mener. Je voudrais toutefois souligner l'importance de mener à bien toutes les réformes nécessaires en termes d'indépendance et d'efficacité de la justice, de lutte contre la corruption et de garantie de la liberté des médias et de la sécurité des journalistes et de les mettre en œuvre dans la pratique.
Debate: Situation in Serbia following elections
Date: WEDNESDAY, 17 JANUARY 2024
Speaker: Didier Reynders
Language: EN

According to the statement of the OSCE/ODIHR, the elections, though technically well-administrated and offering voters a choice of political alternatives, were dominated by the decisive involvement of the President, which, together with the ruling party’s systemic advantages, created unjust conditions. In their statement of 19 December, High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell and Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Várhelyi took note of the report and concluded with concern that the electoral process requires tangible improvement and further reform. Let me underline that the rule of law and the proper functioning of Serbia’s democratic institutions remain at the core of Serbia’s EU accession process, as they are enshrined in our Treaties, which list Copenhagen criteria. The revised enlargement methodology clearly sets out that progress on the fundamentals determines the overall pace of negotiations. We expect that all credible reports of irregularities are followed up in a transparent manner by the competent national authorities. This also includes allegations related to the local elections in Belgrade and other municipalities. Following the adoption of the final OSCE/ODIHR report and recommendations for future elections, we expect Serbia to implement them quickly, ahead of future elections. We stand ready to support Serbia in implementing those recommendations. We have followed closely the protests in Serbia after the elections. Let me underline the importance of upholding the right of peaceful demonstration. At the same time, violence is not the solution and is unacceptable. Police action must be proportionate and respect fundamental rights regarding the rule of law. We call on the Serbian political leadership to ensure now a constructive, inclusive dialogue across the political spectrum. There is no space for disinformation narratives in a healthy democracy. Serbia remains a candidate country negotiating its accession to the European Union. We expect Serbia to demonstrate unequivocally its determination to advance the accession process by accelerating its work on the implementation of EU accession-related reforms across the board and to deliver real and tangible results. This includes, in particular, the area of rule of law and the normalisation of relations with Kosovo through the swift implementation of all EU-facilitated dialogue commitments, including the Agreement on the Path to Normalisation and its implementation annex. Let me also reiterate our strong expectation that Serbia will step up its efforts towards full alignment with EU common foreign and security policy positions and restrictive measures as a matter of utmost priority. We will be closely following how Serbia is delivering on these points and are ready to support Serbia in this endeavour.
Debate: Situation in Serbia following elections
Date: WEDNESDAY, 17 JANUARY 2024
Speaker: Vladimír Bilčík
Political group: PPE
Country: France
Language: EN

Dear colleagues, I stood by these words in December, and I stand by them now. And I do so because I believe that Serbia deserves better. Serbia deserves a European future. People in Serbia deserve a political climate without constant political campaign. People in Serbia deserve true European reforms. People in Serbia deserve a clear choice between Russia and Europe, and a clear choice between confrontation and cooperation. People in Serbia deserve that politicians at last begin to deliver on these choices. I wish Serbia less focus on the tragic past and more energy towards a better future. I wish Serbia all the best in making brave and bright choices for the sake of people in Serbia, and for the sake of Europe.
Debate: Situation in Serbia following elections
Date: WEDNESDAY, 17 JANUARY 2024
Speaker: Andreas Schieder
Political group: S-D
Country: Germany
Language: DE

Und wie mein Vorredner und der Herr Kommissar schon gesagt haben, es gibt eine Liste von Unregelmäßigkeiten, die bei diesen serbischen Wahlen aufgetreten sind: Phantom-Wähler, Stimmenkauf, einseitige Medienberichterstattung und, und, und ist die Vorwurfsliste, die meiner Meinung nach lückenlos aufgeklärt werden muss. Transparenz braucht es hier. Und für die Transparenz, für die muss die Regierung sorgen. Aber die Premierministerin Brnabić und der Präsident Vučić machen das Gegenteil. Anstatt für Transparenz zu sorgen, kritisieren sie internationale Wahlbeobachter, wie auch meine Person, aufs Schärfste und aufs Ärgste. Das ist nicht nur zurückzuweisen, sondern es zeigt ganz deutlich, dass die Kritik, die geäußert worden ist, in den Berichten voll ins Schwarze trifft. Wir können so ein Vorgehen aber nicht hinnehmen als Europäische Union. Wir müssen dafür sorgen, dass Rechtsstaatlichkeit und alle transparenten Prozesse eingehalten werden, auch in Serbien.
Debate: Situation in Serbia following elections
Date: WEDNESDAY, 17 JANUARY 2024
Speaker: Klemen Grošelj
Political group: Renew
Country: Hungary
Language: EN

We have been aware of these issues for years. However, what is new is the brutal openness with which these irregularities took place. In fact, it looked like the Serbian authorities did not even care. Why? Because they are still confident that nothing will happen. And unfortunately, they are right: the Commission and Council’s reaction has been, to put it mildly, very soft. This is the essence of the problem of our enlargement policy as a whole. The question is: will the EU insist on the implementation of our fundamental democratic values and principles, such as the principle that free and fair elections are the foundation of the EU? Or will we be politically pragmatic and, for the sake of quasi-geopolitical stability, sacrifice the democratic hopes and aspirations of the Serbian people? For me, the answer is simple, but I know that many in the EU have a huge dilemma. Supporting democracy is difficult, time consuming and demands a lot of work and dedication, while stable autocracy brings quick, short-term, pragmatic benefits. But if we look back to our own past, we will recall that when democratic standards and principles are in question, pragmatism does not bring the expected results. On the contrary, it usually brings more instability and in the end, even violence. If we truly care about the future of Serbia, of the Western Balkans and of the EU itself, we must support the democratic aspiration of the Serbian people and ensure that they can vote in free and fair elections.
Debate: Situation in Serbia following elections
Date: WEDNESDAY, 17 JANUARY 2024
Speaker: Viola von Cramon-Taubadel
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: Ireland
Language: EN

Dear citizens of Serbia, the European Parliament stands with you. First, we demand an impartial international investigation together with the OSCE, as was the case in Serbia after the 1996 elections. The goal of every election observation mission is to respect the voters rule. If massive fraud takes place, the international community needs to protect voters rights. Second, with the inter-party dialogue, the EP has a long-term instrument for mediation between political party parties in Serbia. Why not use it now for this occasion? The EP is being recognised as a credible actor on both sides, Serbian authorities and the United Opposition. Let us make use of that. It is in our joint interest to see a democratic, European Serbia, which will lead the whole region to the EU.
Debate: Situation in Serbia following elections
Date: WEDNESDAY, 17 JANUARY 2024
Speaker: Ladislav Ilčić
Political group: ECR
Country: France
Language: HR

Tako je u nekim kućama u Beogradu od pedesetak kvadrata bilo prijavljeno i više od trideset birača koji, naravno, nisu živjeli tamo, ali su se trebali prijaviti da bi tamo mogli glasati. Tako srpski politički predstavnici dovode srpske birača i na izbore u Hrvatsku. I dok ovaj puta na izborima su Hrvati ostali bez svog predstavnika u srpskoj skupštini, to se Srbima u Hrvatskoj sigurno neće dogoditi jer oni imaju zagarantirana tri mjesta u Hrvatskom saboru koji godinama, da bi paradoks bio veći, izravno odlučuju o parlamentarnoj većini. Naravno, građani Srbije mogu slobodno birati koga žele, ali ne vidim kako bi Hrvatska ikad mogla glasati za ulazak ovakve Srbije u Europsku uniju.
Debate: Situation in Serbia following elections
Date: WEDNESDAY, 17 JANUARY 2024
Speaker: Jean-Lin Lacapelle
Political group: ID
Country: Germany
Language: FR

Avec de tels chiffres, le résultat du scrutin ne peut pas être remis en question. Mais ce ne sont pas les faits, mais l'idéologie, qui vous motive. Quel est le problème alors? Est-ce la victoire du président Vučić et donc la défaite de vos amis politiques, de l'opposition que vous ne digérez pas? Et donc, est-ce pour cela que l'Union européenne tente de déstabiliser la Serbie? Marinika Tepić, cheffe de file de l'opposition serbe, se vantant hier dans la presse que ce débat aujourd'hui se tient à sa demande. Une fois pour toutes, chers collègues, ce n'est pas à l'Union européenne de décider des affaires intérieures de la Serbie, ni de s'ingérer dans sa politique. Chaque pays est libre, souverain et indépendant, même lorsque ses choix démocratiques ne vous plaisent pas. Cela s'appelle la démocratie. Alors, chers collègues, je suis issu d'un mouvement qui, en 50 ans d'existence, n'a jamais contesté la légitimité des résultats d'un scrutin. Alors permettez-moi d'être heureux du résultat de ces élections par lesquelles le peuple serbe a choisi librement son destin et de souhaiter au président Vučić tout le succès possible pour le bien et l'avenir de la Serbie.
Debate: Situation in Serbia following elections
Date: WEDNESDAY, 17 JANUARY 2024
Speaker: Andor Deli
Political group: NI
Country: Germany
Language: EN

Madam President, Commissioner, it is very unfortunate that here in the European Parliament, the same recipe is being used against Serbia that has been used against Hungary since 2010, where the leftist liberal opposition tries to turn domestic political failures into success not through democratic elections, but with external help. But just as this tactic failed, in case of Hungary, it won’t work in the case of Serbia either. But there is a difference. Hungary is already a Member State, while Serbia has not yet joined the EU. But as we can see, the discrediting campaigns have already begun here in the European Parliament. In recent years, the image and credibility of the EU has greatly decreased in all countries of the Western Balkans, not just because of the hesitancy or rigidity of the Union, but also because of these overly critical, biased opinions. We in the Fidesz delegation are convinced that these debates are counterproductive and damaging, and this House must show more respect and understanding towards Serbia.
Debate: Situation in Serbia following elections
Date: WEDNESDAY, 17 JANUARY 2024
Speaker: Andrey Kovatchev
Political group: PPE
Country: Poland
Language: BG

Г-жо Председател, подкрепям европейската интеграция на Сърбия и смятам, че тя е безалтернативна. Идеята на Европейския съюз е да преодолеем неприятелството, което ни е налагано от идеологиите на миналото. Сърбия има сериозно влияние върху повечето страни от Западните Балкани, което увеличава нейната отговорност. Освен тясното сътрудничество с Русия, във вътрешен план наблюдаваме не само проблемите по време на изборния процес, които колегите споменаха, но и систематичното потъпкване на правата на етническите общности. Ще ви запозная само с един от последните случаи. На 8-ми ноември, Деня на Западните покрайнини, важен за българската общност в Сърбия, група цивилни полицаи нахлуват в Българския културен център в Босилеград. Те повдигат обвинения за етническа и верска омраза на директора Иван Николов и изземват всички книги на поета Едвин Сугарев „Елегия за Краището". Иван Николов е заплашен с 10 години затвор. В същото време Едвин Сугарев е възпрепятстван да следва в Сърбия. Аз самият съм автор на предговора към тази книга и тя по никакъв начин не подтиква към етническа или верска омраза. За огромно съжаление в сръбското публично пространство тече непрекъснат говор на омраза срещу българската общност. Това е същата практика, която наблюдаваме и в Северна Македония по отношение на българите. И трябва ясно да се каже, че центърът е един и същи - това са югокомунистическите елити и техните наследници, които все още заемат ключови позиции в двете страни. Желая бърза интеграция на сръбските граждани и преодоляване на всички тези проблеми от миналото. Сърбия трябва да бъде оценявана само по делата си, а не по добре написани закони.
Debate: Situation in Serbia following elections
Date: WEDNESDAY, 17 JANUARY 2024
Speaker: Tonino Picula
Political group: S-D
Country: France
Language: HR

Poštovana predsjedavajuća, rasprava Europskog parlamenta o izborima u Srbiji je opravdana jer se radi o izborima u državi kandidatkinji za članstvo u Europskoj uniji. Međunarodni promatrači su ocijenili izbore u Srbiji kao nefer izbore s brojnim kršenjima demokratskih principa i izbornih pravila. Krše se i međunarodni sporazumi o zaštiti manjina. Izbori u Srbiji koji se održavaju u kratkim intervalima pogoduju održavanju atmosfere izvanrednog stanja u društvu. Ovo su čak treći parlamentarni izbori u samo četiri godine, a svi su poslužili kao instrument jačanja osobne vlasti predsjednika države. Naime, parlamentarni izbori u Srbiji slabe parlamentarizam i služe konsolidaciji autokratske vlasti Aleksandra Vučića. Ali ovo ne bi trebala biti samo rasprava o posljednjim izborima u Srbiji, nego i o odnosu Europske unije prema Srbiji. Održavanje stabilnosti Vučićevog režima znači održavanje nestabilnosti u drugim državama na zapadnom Balkanu, Bosni i Hercegovini, Crnoj Gori i na Kosovu. Srbija je i sve podijeljenija oko svog puta u Europsku uniju, dok podrška Putinovoj Rusiji ostaje visoka.
Debate: Situation in Serbia following elections
Date: WEDNESDAY, 17 JANUARY 2024
Speaker: Thomas Waitz
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: Denmark
Language: EN

Madam President, there’s clear evidence of electoral fraud, and we have clear evidence of additional voters being brought in by buses into Belgrade. Even dead people have voted, and there’s clear evidence that this fraud was well organised, well ahead of the elections. These elections were not just influenced: they were clearly stolen. Hundreds of thousands of Serbian citizens have been protesting for free and fair elections, and rightly so, because Serbians have the same right to demand free and fair elections and institutions that follow their constitutional obligations as all other European states. So I call for an international investigation into this election fraud, and I call on all Member States not to accept this election result before we see a result of this international investigation, because there is no democracy without free and fair elections.
Debate: Situation in Serbia following elections
Date: WEDNESDAY, 17 JANUARY 2024
Speaker: Ryszard Czarnecki
Political group: ECR
Country: France
Language: PL

Pani Przewodnicząca! Panie Komisarzu! Szanowni Państwo! Trzeba bardzo jasno powiedzieć – a tego może zabrakło – że Serbia jest krajem, o który toczy się mecz geopolityczny między nami – Zachodem – a Rosją. I oczywiście jest wielu Serbów, którzy chcą być bliżej Moskwy niż bliżej Unii Europejskiej. Pytanie: co my na to? Czy my, jako Unia, będziemy starali się westernizować, „uzachadniać” Serbię, czy też będziemy odwracać się do niej plecami i de facto spychać ją w kierunku Moskwy? Myślę, że w wymiarze pewnego interesu Zachodu, Unii Europejskiej, znacznie lepsze jest to pierwsze wyjście. Oczywiście możemy i powinniśmy oceniać krytycznie takie czy inne przejawy serbskiej demokracji, natomiast nie powinniśmy nagle przestać dostrzegać interesu geopolitycznego, a ten jest najważniejszy. Musimy być otwarci na Serbię, musimy jak najszybciej przyjąć ją do Unii Europejskiej.
Debate: Situation in Serbia following elections
Date: WEDNESDAY, 17 JANUARY 2024
Speaker: Lukas Mandl
Political group: PPE
Country: Portugal
Language: DE

Frau Präsidentin, Herr Kommissar, liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Serbien ist ein wunderbares Land mit einer starken Kultur, mit fleißigen Menschen. Wie ich immer wieder sage: Serbien könnte das Deutschland des Westbalkans sein, der Wirtschaftsmotor. Es ist der größte Staat mit der stärksten Wirtschaft. Was geschieht stattdessen? Aggression nach innen und außen. Herr Kommissar Reynders, Sie sind wieder fast die gesamte Plenarwoche für die Europäische Kommission hier. Richten Sie Herrn Borrell aus, richten Sie Herrn Várhelyi aus, was Sie hier hören im Parlament. Lesen Sie als Kommission die Berichte der Wahlbeobachtungsmissionen. Und seien Sie nicht überrascht – niemand kann überrascht sein darüber, wie die angeblichen Wahlen gelaufen sind in Serbien: Wenn etwas agiert wie ein autoritäres, undemokratisches Regime, wenn etwas reagiert wie ein autoritäres Regime, wenn etwas sich wie ein autoritäres Regime verhält, dann ist es möglicherweise ein autoritäres Regime. Und es ist Schluss mit Appeasement. Das ist meine Bitte an die Europäische Kommission. Helfen wir den Menschen in Serbien, die Freiheit wollen. Sie verdienen es, Sie verdienen eine europäische Zukunft. Seien wir an der Seite dieser Menschen, und tun wir das Beste dafür, dass Serbien eine gute Zukunft hat nach diesem Regime.
Debate: Situation in Serbia following elections
Date: WEDNESDAY, 17 JANUARY 2024
Speaker: Matjaž Nemec
Political group: S-D
Country: Greece
Language: SL

Gospa predsednica! Spoštovani, danes se obračam na vas, prebivalke in prebivalce Srbije. Prihodnosti Evropske unije si ne predstavljam brez vas in vaše države kot polnopravne članice, a bojim se, da članstvo v Uniji ni iskrena strateška izbira državnega vodstva Srbije. Iskanje ravnotežja med verodostojnostjo pristopanja k Uniji z odpiranjem poglavij na eni strani in povezovanjem Srbije z obveščevalnimi strukturami totalitarnih držav na drugi strani postaja skorajda neresno, bizarno, posmehljivo. Retorika političnega vrha, politične manipulacije in preigravanje, izmikanje odgovornosti in navsezadnje številne indikacije o nepravilnostih med volilnim procesom v decembru državo vedno bolj vrednostno oddaljujejo od Evropske unije. Retorika političnega vrha, manipulacije – slednje izpostavljajo ne le mednarodni opazovalci, ampak tudi številni, nevladne organizacije in vi, volivci Srbi. Vi, spoštovani, si zaslužite zdravo demokracijo, preverjene informacije in svobodne medije, delujočo pravno državo in verodostojna pristopna pogajanja. Ne pozabite, da je mnogo med nami tu, v Evropskem parlamentu, iskrenih sogovornikov, ker si to prizadevamo, da bi postali tudi vi del naše družine. Srečno!