unimelb-nlp/MultiEup-v2 huggingface dataset:
Debate: The social and economic consequences for the EU of the Russian war in Ukraine - reinforcing the EU’s capacity to act
Date: WEDNESDAY, 4 MAY 2022
Speaker: Anna Zalewska
Political group: ECR
Country: Poland
Language: PL

Wojna w Ukrainie ma także ogromny wpływ na świat i UE. Po pierwsze, ze względu na naszą zależność od rosyjskiej ropy i gazu, w tym roku czeka nas 1,5-krotne zwiększenie inflacji. Oznacza to spadek inwestycji i eksportu, niższy wzrost PKB, erozję konsumpcji gospodarstw domowych. Po raz kolejny pokazuje to, że UE musi zdywersyfikować dostawy, zmniejszyć zużycie energii oraz odejść od dotychczasowej polityki klimatycznej.  Po drugie, wojna to także ogromne koszty humanitarne, zwłaszcza dla krajów sąsiadujących z Ukrainą. Od 24 lutego z Ukrainy uciekło już około 5 mln osób. To znacznie więcej niż roczny napływ osób ubiegających się o azyl w UE w szczytowym momencie syryjskiego kryzysu uchodźczego. Dlatego musimy odnowić naszą wspólną politykę azylową i migracyjną. Musimy jak najszybciej wesprzeć finansowo kraje takie jak Polska, Słowacja czy Węgry.  Po trzecie, Ukraina i Rosja są dużymi eksporterami kluczowych artykułów spożywczych: 30% światowego eksportu pszenicy i 20% kukurydzy. Jako świat nie jesteśmy na to gotowi. Jeśli nie uczynimy wszystkiego, co w naszej mocy, aby zatrzymać Putina, czeka nas głód, skrajne ubóstwo i wzrost przestępczości. Musimy być solidarni, musimy stać ramię w ramię z Ukrainą i krajami frontowymi niosącymi nieocenioną pomoc uciekającym przed wojną.
Debate: The social and economic consequences for the EU of the Russian war in Ukraine - reinforcing the EU’s capacity to act
Date: WEDNESDAY, 4 MAY 2022
Speaker: Carlos Zorrinho
Political group: S-D
Language: PT

Sendo necessário resistir e apoiar as pessoas em concreto no que diz respeito aos efeitos da inflação, ao aumento dos preços da energia e dos bens essenciais, ao acolhimento de refugiados ou à defesa contra a informação manipulada, esse apoio deve combinar resistência e transformação.  O agendamento deste debate com resolução é de enorme oportunidade. A resolução não se deve limitar a enunciar respostas de emergência que, sendo necessárias, não dão a resposta total ao desafio. A resolução aprovada deve ser também um programa político de afirmação do projeto europeu, redefinido e reforçado para fazer face às novas ameaças e concretizando uma agenda progressista de transformação, para consolidar a União Europeia no quadro do conflito e no quadro global.
Debate: Discharge
Date: WEDNESDAY, 4 MAY 2022
Speaker: Younous Omarjee
Country: Cyprus
Language: FR

L’année 2020, pour laquelle nous examinons cette décharge, est la dernière année de ce onzième FED et, à partir de 2021, nous rentrerons dans le douzième FED et plus aucune convention de financement ne pourra être signée au titre du onzième FED. Le douzième FED sera par ailleurs, pour la première fois, intégré au cadre financier pluriannuel européen et sera donc soumis à un certain nombre de règlements européens auxquels il échappait jusqu’alors. En 2020, l’exécution financière du FED a porté sur des décisions de financement représentant des engagements globaux de 2 687 000 000 d’euros, sur des contrats qui représentent des engagements individuels de 3 670 000 000 d’euros et sur des paiements représentant 4 600 000 000 d’euros. Et toutes ces dépenses ont été marquées par la crise de la COVID, et 2020 a été, en réalité, une année record pour les paiements en raison de l’augmentation des décaissements en faveur de projets contribuant à la lutte contre la crise de la COVID et cela a également conduit à l’accélération de l’absorption. Notre rapport fait état d’un certain nombre de complications induites par l’épidémie de la COVID. Cependant, nous nous inquiétons tout de même de la hausse considérable des erreurs soulignées par la Cour des comptes et du refus d’organisations bénéficiaires de garantir à la Cour un accès complet et illimité aux documents et justificatifs. Dans l’exécution 2020, je souhaite souligner que la Commission a réagi à temps et mis fin au financement d’un projet extrêmement problématique en Érythrée, s’appuyant sur le travail forcé et sur l’esclavage. Et sur la base des expériences tirées en Érythrée, j’invite à présent la Commission européenne à redoubler partout de vigilance et à inclure, aujourd’hui pour tous les pays, des clauses liées aux conditions de travail pour tous les projets qu’elle finance. Et la vigilance doit également être de mise pour tous les projets en République centrafricaine et pour les projets européens qui risquent de financer indirectement les milices Wagner qui, nous le savons, exercent une influence considérable sur l’armée de ce pays. Pour conclure, je veux dire aussi que toutes les politiques européennes doivent être mises en cohérence avec les objectifs de la politique de développement. Car autrement, les investissements qui sont réalisés à travers le FED sont annihilés dans leur portée. Et je veux aussi dire que la Commission doit veiller à la bonne prise en compte des intérêts des régions ultrapériphériques et des pays et territoires d’outre-mer qui partagent le même bassin géographique avec les pays ACP. Pour conclure, je veux dire que la politique de développement de l’Union poursuit l’objectif d’éradication de la pauvreté. Mais nous devons aussi, aujourd’hui, assumer sans hypocrisie la dimension de co-développement et d’intérêts partagés entre le développement des pays ACP et les intérêts de l’Union européenne.
Debate: Discharge
Date: WEDNESDAY, 4 MAY 2022
Speaker: Michael Gahler
Country: Spain
Language: DE

Wir haben gegenüber der Kommission festzustellen: Wir haben so viel Geld auch für Drittstaaten außerhalb der Union im Rahmen der COVID-Pandemie gegeben – über 40 Milliarden. Und die Sichtbarkeit und Kommunikation hinsichtlich dieser Unterstützung, die können tatsächlich auch noch verbessert werden. Und auch als Berichterstatter für die Ukraine – es passt gerade hier –, der Schwerpunkt des Sonderberichts des Rechnungshofs zum Thema „Bekämpfung der Großkorruption in der Ukraine“, der hatte sich vor allen Dingen auf die Jahre 2016 bis 2019 bezogen. Seither ist einiges, auch vor dem Krieg, in die richtige Richtung gegangen. Ich denke, wir werden im Rahmen des Wiederaufbaus des Landes danach vereint die Kräfte finden, um dieses Übel, was bisher da auch noch bestanden hat, anzugehen und dafür zu sorgen, dass dieses Land in Zukunft wie ein normaler europäischer Staat funktionieren kann.
Debate: Discharge
Date: WEDNESDAY, 4 MAY 2022
Speaker: Romana Tomc
Country: France
Language: SL

Kot ugotavlja tudi Računsko sodišče, so bile vse transakcije v letu 2020 zakonite, finančni položaj agencij pa pošteno predstavljen. Evropske institucije morajo svoje delo opravljati strokovno, učinkovito in pregledno. Za svoje poslovanje porabljajo proračunski denar, zato so odgovorne vsem Evropejkam in Evropejcem. Pohvalno je, da agencije zmanjšujejo stroške z vključevanjem v skupno mrežo. S tem se izognejo prekrivanju nalog in optimizirajo svoje poslovanje. Agencije so tudi odgovorile na vsa pretekla opozorila in jih uspešno razrešile.  Na koncu želim izpostaviti še pritožbe zaposlenih na agencijah, kar kaže na pomanjkanje komunikacije. Najbrž je k temu prispevala tudi covid kriza, pa tudi nov bolj digitalizirani način dela. Vendar to ne opravičuje dejstva, da so se nekateri zaposleni s svojimi težavami obrnili kar na znance v Evropskem parlamentu. To bo potrebno spremeniti in vzpostaviti primerno komunikacijo med vodstvom in zaposlenimi.
Debate: Discharge
Date: WEDNESDAY, 4 MAY 2022
Speaker: Andrey Novakov
Country: France
Language: EN

We have been witnessing an attack against an institution – an attack against the President of this institution – and we should not enlarge this attack to the whole interest in the good relationship that this Parliament has with the European Court of Auditors. We’ve been provided with information on all the questions we’ve been asking, and never in the history of the European Court of Auditors have we seen a problem with its nature or work.  We’ve been provided with reports on a regular basis. Two thirds of the workflow of Committee on Budgetary Control (CONT) comes from the European Court of Auditors. We don’t see a problem with the quality of the work provided to us, with the quality of the report, or with the moral compass and capabilities of the professionals who are working there. I believe we should grant discharge to this institution.
Debate: Discharge
Date: WEDNESDAY, 4 MAY 2022
Speaker: Gheorghe Falcă
Country: Germany
Language: RO

Fără transport, nu există economie. Mai mult, transportul afectează zi de zi fiecare cetățean ca muncitor, student, turist și consumator. Fără transport, nu există o viață de înaltă calitate. În cele din urmă transportul, joacă un rol crucial în reducerea decalajelor dintre zonele îndepărtate și principalele centre economice și industriale ale Europei. Fără transport, nu există piață internă.  Dragi colegi, agențiile europene de transport și-au dovedit eficiența și profesionalismul în această perioadă de criză și salut faptul că nu a fost trimis către OLAF niciun caz suspect de fraudă.  De aceea, instituțiile europene trebuie să acorde o atenție sporită agențiilor pentru transport și întreprinderilor comune din domeniul transportului, așadar, cer creșterea bugetului pentru toate agențiile relevante.
Debate: Discharge
Date: WEDNESDAY, 4 MAY 2022
Speaker: Pierre Karleskind
Country: Ireland
Language: FR

En quelques mots, je dirai simplement que l'Agence européenne du contrôle des pêches a un rôle primordial à jouer pour atteindre les objectifs que nous nous fixons ici, à savoir les objectifs de la politique commune des pêches. Il s'agit de garantir des activités de pêche durable à long terme sur le plan économique, social et environnemental. Il y a eu le Brexit, il y a eu la pandémie. Et malgré tout cela et les conditions opérationnelles rendues difficiles, l'Agence a su s'adapter. Il faut l'en féliciter. Elle a su assurer la continuité de ses missions — coordination, contrôle des pêches, surveillance des missions d'inspection de navires suspects dans les eaux européennes — pour, comme je le disais, mettre en œuvre notre politique.  Je veux aussi saluer le travail qui a été mené par cette agence puisqu'en 2020, elle a assuré la présidence de la coopération tripartite avec Frontex et avec l'Agence européenne de sécurité maritime. C'est un bel exemple de synergie entre nos agences à retenir, et peut-être pourrait-on demain envisager une agence maritime européenne unique.
Debate: Discharge
Date: WEDNESDAY, 4 MAY 2022
Speaker: Gilles Lebreton
Country: Germany
Language: FR

La Cour est malgré tout parvenue à trancher 1 540 affaires contre 1 739 en 2019, ce qui est méritoire. Elle a en particulier innové en organisant des plaidoiries à distance par visioconférence avec interprétation simultanée. Elle a d’autre part utilisé 99 % de ses crédits, ce qui est d’autant plus satisfaisant que les crédits utilisés l’ont été essentiellement pour des dépenses de personnel et d’infrastructures, notamment informatiques. Enfin, la durée moyenne des procédures pour les affaires traitées devant la Cour et le Tribunal est descendue à moins de quinze mois et demi, soit le meilleur niveau de rapidité jamais atteint. Pour toutes ces raisons, je suis favorable, comme la commission des affaires juridiques, à la décharge sur l’exécution du budget 2020 de la Cour. Je souligne toutefois que la Cour des comptes, dont je salue le Président, a rendu le 21 décembre 2020, un rapport réservé sur l’efficacité du doublement du nombre de juges du Tribunal. Il conviendra donc, dans l’avenir, d’approfondir ce sujet.
Debate: Discharge
Date: WEDNESDAY, 4 MAY 2022
Speaker: Ramona Strugariu
Country: Italy
Language: EN

I would like to congratulate the Court of Justice in particular for being once again among the top performers in terms of efficiency, budgetary performance, staff policy, cooperation initiatives, trainings and communication visibility and Green Transition. The Court has also stepped up its efforts in digitalisation, ensuring fair and easy access to justice for everyone. This was essential in times of COVID. The Justice and Home Affairs agencies have made commendable efforts and collaborated well, offering support to national authorities, issuing joint publications and recommendations.  Now, a few words on Frontex. This is the largest and one of the most important EU agencies with a mandate of keeping our borders safe. Its role is crucial, in this war as well, and its support is needed. This is exactly why the EU needs a strong and functional Frontex, not a controversial or weak one. We cannot afford doubt on procedures, mismanagement or breaking rules, nor should EU citizens pay for that. We need an efficient structure, with clear tasks and responsibilities, working together with Member States.  Mr Leggeri’s resignation does not address all of these concerns. Frontex has a clear set of conditions, which must be met in order for the agency to operate according to its mandate and relevant EU legislation. I expect the current interim and future management to make an absolute priority of ensuring full compliance with EU legislation and our requirements, from fundamental rights monitoring to compliance with the ECJ ruling concerning its operations in Hungary. A robust and trustworthy Frontex must protect the EU border while abiding by the highest standards in terms of respect for fundamental rights. I am looking forward to our future cooperation in achieving all of these goals.
Debate: Discharge
Date: WEDNESDAY, 4 MAY 2022
Speaker: Antonio Tajani
Country: Estonia
Language: IT

Abbiamo chiesto di lavorare a un memorandum tra Parlamento e Consiglio, ma non basta. Anche nel corso della Conferenza sul futuro dell'Europa i cittadini hanno chiesto più trasparenza e più responsabilità. Chi ci elegge ha il diritto di sapere come spendiamo i suoi soldi ed è compito di quest'Aula, casa della democrazia europea, rendere conto agli europei. In questi mesi con una pandemia e un conflitto in corso, con la crisi economica, in molti chiedono che la nostra Unione sia messa in condizione di dare risposte concrete. Per questo chiediamo una revisione dei trattati, la cui riforma deve anche prevedere la tutela degli interessi finanziari dell'Unione e delle prerogative del Parlamento europeo.
Debate: Discharge
Date: WEDNESDAY, 4 MAY 2022
Speaker: Samira Rafaela
Country: Germany
Language: EN

I am therefore outraged at the recent developments in the United States. This is an injustice. Banning abortion does not mean fewer abortions; it only means unsafe abortions. It means that the bodily integrity, dignity and self-determination of half of the population is violated. While some of us strongly defend this fundamental right in our Parliament, in the US, the conservatives are trying to dismantle it.  This vile movement to repress women’s rights is transnational and it is on our doorstep. So we must stand with the women of the US fighting to prevent the overruling of Roe v. Wade, and let this be a lesson. We should keep fighting for more and more budget to guarantee access to sexual and reproductive health and rights for every single woman. Our body, our lives, our choice.
Debate: Discharge
Date: WEDNESDAY, 4 MAY 2022
Speaker: José Manuel Fernandes
Political group: PPE
Country: Ireland
Language: PT

No que diz respeito ao Parlamento, também nos podemos orgulhar de sabermos que podemos dar a quitação de 2020. As contas estão certas, cumprem as normas e toda a legislação em vigor.  Não poderia também deixar de dar aqui uma palavra de agradecimento pelo facto de, em 2020, em plena pandemia, termos trabalhado rapidamente de forma remota a favor dos cidadãos, graças a todos os funcionários deste Parlamento e nesta instituição, para além da velocidade com que se trabalhou em condições difíceis e fomos pioneiros à escala global, conseguimos ter soluções para os cidadãos, legislação de uma enorme qualidade.  Por isso, muito obrigado e daremos, obviamente, a quitação ao Orçamento de 2020 do Parlamento Europeu.
Debate: Discharge
Date: WEDNESDAY, 4 MAY 2022
Speaker: Tsvetelina Penkova
Political group: S-D
Country: Croatia
Language: EN

However, we must not forget that 2020 was a very challenging year. The Commission managed to ensure good governance of the EU budget and had an adequate response to the consequences of the COVID—19 crisis. Despite the significant impact on the internal functioning and the management of the EU budget, we welcome the efforts on the temporary mechanisms such as Support to mitigate Unemployment Risks in an Emergency (SURE) and the Corona Response Initiative. They helped to smooth the negative effects of the crisis. Therefore, S&D recommends to grant discharge to the European Commission for 2020.
Debate: Discharge
Date: WEDNESDAY, 4 MAY 2022
Speaker: Alin Mituța
Political group: Renew
Country: Germany
Language: RO

Una care aș zice că este larg răspândită este cea a dezechilibrelor majore geografice și de gen de la nivelul staffului, în special în funcțiile de conducere. Avem această situație în mai multe instituții, de la Comisie, la Parlament sau la Serviciul European de Acțiune Externă.  Sper ca această problemă să fie luată mai în serios în viitor și să fie îmbunătățită situația la următorul
Debate: Discharge
Date: WEDNESDAY, 4 MAY 2022
Speaker: Viola Von Cramon-Taubadel
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: Ireland
Language: EN

The error rate is still above the 2% target. Outstanding budgetary commitments continue to rise to a new record of more than EUR 300 billion. Yet not everything is in the numbers and percentages. Key issues for us are transparency and the rule of law. We all have the right to know the list of the biggest beneficiaries for EU funds now. The Commission needs to set up a system that will allow us and the EU citizens to see the complete list. Who gets how much and how often? It is the only way how we can fight conflicts of interest, land grabbing, misuse of agri- and cohesion funds.  The core of the EU is the rule of law, and it is the Commissioner’s primary task to protect the rule of law, standards and norms. The Commission was reluctant for way too long to use all its tools, but we cannot compromise on the very foundation of the EU. The first step against Hungary must not become the fig leaf for inaction excuses, but a booster that will strongly demonstrate our willingness and determination to make sure that there is no money if there are no EU standards.
Debate: Discharge
Date: WEDNESDAY, 4 MAY 2022
Speaker: Joachim Kuhs
Political group: ID
Country: Greece
Language: DE

Leider schießen sich einige Kollegen immer wieder auf wenige Einrichtungen ein. Dieses Jahr scheint es neben Frontex der Europäische Rechnungshof zu sein. Schämen wir uns da eigentlich nicht, dass wir eine solche wichtige und gerade für die Entlastungsverfahren essenzielle Einrichtung ohne Not beschädigen? Schämen wir uns eigentlich nicht, dass wir dem falschen Eindruck nicht entgegentreten, als ob Präsident Lehne und seine Kollegen Regelverstöße begangen hätten? Dabei ist gerade das nicht der Fall.  Wenn Regeln nicht gut sind oder einen falschen Eindruck erzeugen, dann können sie geändert werden. Und dazu ist der Rechnungshof ja bereit. Aber dann ständig gegen die Personen zu schießen und ihre Autorität zu untergraben, das finde ich einfach nur noch schäbig. Liebe Kollegen, lassen Sie uns wieder zurückkehren zu unserem ureigensten Job, der Haushaltsentlastung. Da haben wir künftig mit EPPO und weiteren Agenturen noch mehr zu tun.  Vielen Dank, Herr Lehne, für Ihren wichtigen Beitrag. Ich entschuldige mich für die vielen falschen Darstellungen, und ich wünsche Ihnen persönlich alles Gute.
Debate: Discharge
Date: WEDNESDAY, 4 MAY 2022
Speaker: Jessica Stegrud
Political group: ECR
Language: SV

EU:s myndigheter har i dag växande befogenheter och består av tiotusentals tjänstemän och det är vår, parlamentets, uppgift att kritiskt granska dessa. Trots alla blinkande varningslampor om ineffektivitet och slöseri så utgör parlamentets främsta kritik att könsfördelningen inte är tillräckligt jämn. Så för att svara på min inledande fråga: Jämnare könsfördelning – det är vad vi får för pengarna om parlamentet får bestämma.
Debate: Discharge
Date: WEDNESDAY, 4 MAY 2022
Speaker: Luke Ming Flanagan
Political group: The Left
Country: Germany
Language: EN

So, what I would say is, overall I would be positive on the whole thing. I congratulate all the agencies and joint agencies that will be granted discharge and well done on your cooperation. In particular the Committee of the Regions – I’ll vote in favour of discharge because the Robert McCoy case has finally and fairly been settled.  In relation to the European Court of Auditors. I think overall it’s a fine organisation. I got elected to the European Parliament as a sceptic. My scepticism has been somewhat tempered and that scepticism was tempered because of my dealings with the European Court of Auditors. I found them to be exceptionally honest, good to work with, and they are the speedometer on our car and tell us whether we’re going too fast and if we’re wasting money or not.  So the recent revelations, or allegations, about the European Court of Auditors have saddened me, and I understand we have to be very careful in criticising it because it adds to Euroscepticism. But at the same time, we’ve got to ask the hard questions and I don’t think we should shoot the messenger here because we are asking important questions, because we want to add to the credibility of the European Court of Auditors and to make sure it isn’t damaged. But I will be voting to postpone the discharge.  Finally, on the European Council, what the hell are ye at? I’ll say it again, scepticism is a danger to the European Union. If you don’t engage, you give petrol to throw on the flames of scepticism. Cop on! Because you are destroying the very project you claim you want to protect!
Debate: Discharge
Date: WEDNESDAY, 4 MAY 2022
Speaker: Clara Ponsatí Obiols
Political group: NI
Country: Slovakia
Language: EN

Madam President, our budgets express our souls. Taxes allocated to our agencies should under no circumstances be used to infringe human rights, like pushbacks at our borders, a practice where Frontex plays a very shady role.  Frontex and the Agency for Asylum must serve a policy that seeks to secure our borders, while defending fundamental rights and protecting refugees. However, we have a long way to go, because Member States too often infringe international law against asylum seekers. The case of Amir Zahiri and Akif Rasuli, two Afghan refugees in Lesbos, is a valid example. After their boat wreck, they were accused of human trafficking and condemned to 50 years of prison after a ten—minute trial at which no evidence was examined. Their appeals keep being postponed and postponed while they remain in prison. This must end and our agencies must stop covering them up.
Debate: Discharge
Date: WEDNESDAY, 4 MAY 2022
Speaker: Jeroen Lenaers
Political group: PPE
Country: France
Language: EN

Madam President, it’s fair to say that this year’s ECA discharge was quite eventful. At the end of this procedure, I would like to draw two main conclusions.  First, that the Court has spent its budget in full compliance with the applicable rules, as was also confirmed by independent external auditors. Secondly, that some of these rules are in need of an update to improve the functioning of the Court and to avoid any potential issues in the future.  The Court, to its credit, has shown great commitment in cooperating with Parliament on such recommendations and has already proactively implemented the bulk of them. However, these two objective conclusions are hardly reflected in the discharge resolution or the proposed decision to postpone. This is worrying because discharges should be about fact-based assessments and not about political considerations. We should lead by example and avoid suggestive statements that even contradict the opinions of our own Legal Service.  So I count on your support, colleagues, for the factual corrections that I have tabled to the resolution and to support the granting of discharge to the European Court of Auditors.