unimelb-nlp/MultiEup-v2 huggingface dataset:
Debate: Role of culture, education, media and sport in the fight against racism
Date: MONDAY, 7 MARCH 2022
Speaker: Domènec Ruiz Devesa
Political group: S-D
Country: Malta
Language: ES

Señora presidenta Charonzová, señora comisaria Gabriel, felicitaciones a la ponente Salima Yenbou, que ha hecho un magnífico informe, porque, efectivamente, tenemos que hacer mucho más desde Europa en la lucha contra el racismo.  Podemos ver el racismo como la peor forma de frontera, peor que una frontera física: una frontera mental que tenemos que derribar con la misma energía con la que en Europa hemos derribado hace tiempo, por suerte, las fronteras físicas.  Y para eso, desde el Grupo Socialista proponemos dos elementos fundamentales. Primero, un currículo común de educación para la ciudadanía europea que contenga un componente muy fuerte de lucha contra el racismo, el antisemitismo, la xenofobia, la islamofobia.  Segundo, que en la Conferencia sobre el Futuro de Europa pidamos incluir en los Tratados de la Unión Europea la lucha contra todas estas lacras como un signo de identidad de la Unión Europea, como una tarea concreta a desarrollar desde el propio marco constitucional de la Unión Europea.
Debate: Role of culture, education, media and sport in the fight against racism
Date: MONDAY, 7 MARCH 2022
Speaker: Andrea Bocskor
Political group: NI
Country: Romania
Language: HU

Ez a jelentés azonban egy újabb kísérlet az EP által a tagállami hatáskörök átlépésére, hiszen az EUMSZ 6., 165. és 166. cikke alapján az EU nem követelheti meg az uniós országok törvényeinek vagy rendeleteinek harmonizációját, és csak támogatást nyújthat a tagállamok felelősségének és hatáskörének teljes tiszteletben tartása mellett. Az EU-nak teljes mértékben tiszteletben kell tartania a tagállamok felelősségét az oktatás és a szakképzés tartalmára és megszervezésére vonatkozóan. A jelentés továbbá egy újabb példája az EP liberális erőinek egy bújtatott, de agresszív migráns- és LMTQ-lobbijára. Szégyenteljes, hogy az EP nem tud vagy nem akar egyforma nézetekben foglalkozni az Európában több ezer éve élő, és az európai közös történelem és kultúra részét képező nemzeti kisebbségek, és a most érkezett gazdasági bevándorlók jogaival.
Debate: Role of culture, education, media and sport in the fight against racism
Date: MONDAY, 7 MARCH 2022
Speaker: Lívia Járóka
Political group: NI
Country: Slovakia
Language: HU

Az Európai Unió intézményeinek és tagállamainak kötelessége fellépni az erősödő cigányellenesség ellen, minden létező formában. Javasoljuk az uniós direktívák felülvizsgálatát, hiszen a rasszizmus elleni akciótervnek válaszokat kell adni a járvány gazdasági és társadalmi hatásaiból továbbgyűrűző kihívásokra is. Javasoljuk továbbá az FRA és egyéb uniós szervek rasszizmus elleni tevékenységeinek megerősítését. Tagállamok esetében szorgalmazzuk, hogy a helyi szinten megvalósuló programokban vegyék figyelembe helyi roma szervezetek és vezetők támogatását, továbbá vonják be őket a döntési folyamatokba. Az antidiszkriminációs, az emberi jogi és pedagógus képzéseket nagyobb arányú bevonással kell megvalósítani. Cél a kisebbségek elleni előítéletek csökkentése. Szorgalmazzuk, a nemzeti kerettantervek és tagállami oktatási anyagok kiemelten foglalkozzanak a romákkal szembeni előítéletek hatékony csökkentésével.
Debate: Cohesion policy: promoting innovative and smart transformation and regional ICT connectivity
Date: MONDAY, 7 MARCH 2022
Speaker: Eugen Jurzyca
Political group: ECR
Country: Belgium
Language: SK

Za lepšou prácou, vyššími mzdami či lepším bývaním sa ľudia sťahujú stovky rokov do miest. Ak ich teraz na dlh budeme motivovať k návratu, môžeme sa dostať do problémov v časoch, keď nám v EÚ budú verejné zdroje chýbať nielen na udržiavanie štátom vytvorených pracovných miest, ale aj na sanáciu dnešných kríz, demografického vývoja či klimatických zmien.
Debate: Cohesion policy: promoting innovative and smart transformation and regional ICT connectivity
Date: MONDAY, 7 MARCH 2022
Speaker: Karol Karski
Political group: ECR
Country: Cyprus
Language: PL

Żyjemy w czasach tzw. ery cyfrowej, czego namacalnie doświadczamy w codziennym życiu i codziennej pracy. Postępująca i niezaprzeczalna cyfryzacja obejmuje również wszelkie inne dziedziny funkcjonowania naszych systemów i społeczeństw, jak między innymi: administracja, medycyna, bezpieczeństwo i wszelka komunikacja. Z jednej strony, pomimo wszelkich starań dokładanych od wielu lat nadal istnieje przepaść w dostępie do usług i poziomie umiejętności cyfrowych na obszarach wiejskich i najbardziej oddalonych. Z drugiej, nadal trwamy w stanie nieprzerwanej pandemii, która w sposób brutalny unaoczniła niedoskonałości i potrzeby dalszego rozwoju w zakresie telekomunikacji i innowacyjnych rozwiązań informatycznych. Ponadto, w dobie kryzysu bezpieczeństwa globalnego nie sposób zaprzeczyć jej newralgicznego znaczenia dla stabilności i skuteczności funkcjonowania systemów krajowych.  Biorąc pod uwagę wszelkie aktualne i przyszłe wyzwania, należy dążyć do jak najszybszego i zrównoważonego rozwoju w obszarze innowacyjnej i inteligentnej transformacji cyfrowej i połączeń teleinformatycznych. Uważam, że polityka spójności ma w tej materii olbrzymi potencjał.
Debate: Engaging with citizens: the right to petition and refer to the European Ombudsman, the European Citizens’ Initiative
Date: MONDAY, 7 MARCH 2022
Speaker: Dita Charanzová
Country: France
Language: EN

The next item is a short presentation of the report by Marie—Pierre Vedrenne on engaging with citizens: the right to petition, the right to refer to the European Ombudsman and the European Citizens’ Initiative (
Debate: Engaging with citizens: the right to petition and refer to the European Ombudsman, the European Citizens’ Initiative
Date: MONDAY, 7 MARCH 2022
Speaker: Marie-Pierre Vedrenne
Country: Denmark
Language: FR

Notre rempart est la démocratie. Ce sont les valeurs qui nous unissent et les droits que les citoyens partagent, et il n’y a pas de démocratie sans les citoyens. Le courage des Ukrainiens, leur soif de liberté, leur amour de la démocratie rappellent avec force que l’Union européenne, symbole de paix, d’unité, de liberté, doit porter haut un modèle démocratique toujours plus enclin à la participation citoyenne, toujours plus intransigeant sur le respect de l’état de droit et toujours plus favorable à la transparence. Car il n’y a pas de démocratie sans participation active des citoyens, et la conférence sur l’avenir de l’Europe montre l’envie des citoyens de faire entendre leur voix, et ceci au-delà des élections. Leurs recommandations doivent être prises en compte. Sans résultats concrets, les citoyens vont s’éloigner encore plus de nos institutions. Et leur confiance, déjà érodée, c’est à nous, élus au Parlement européen, de la regagner.  Il est urgent de repenser les instruments participatifs et il nous faut travailler pour que tous les obstacles à la participation soient levés: barrières linguistiques, barrières technologiques... De refus de collaborer de la part de nos institutions, nous ne pouvons plus accepter. L’Union européenne doit être ambitieuse pour donner la parole à chacun, écouter et donner les moyens nécessaires pour s’impliquer. Notre démocratie, nous la renforcerons ainsi.  Pas de démocratie sans respect de l’état de droit. Nous ne pourrons faire aucun compromis. L’Union européenne est une communauté de valeurs et il n’y a pas de place pour les autocrates qui ne respectent pas l’état de droit. Ainsi, nous devons garantir une surveillance étroite des fonds européens dans nos États membres. Chaque citoyen doit pouvoir être assuré que les valeurs européennes sont respectées dans le cadre du plan de relance et en cela, le rôle du Médiateur est essentiel. Le Parlement européen lui a déjà montré son plein soutien pour assurer le respect de l’état de droit.  Enfin, pas de démocratie sans transparence. La démocratie européenne ne peut être considérée comme acquise. Sans accès aux informations, sans transparence, les citoyens ne peuvent participer pleinement. L’Union européenne doit maintenir des normes élevées en matière de transparence. Plus de transparence dans les négociations des accords de commerce, par exemple. La médiatrice a pointé du doigt les manquements de la Commission européenne, notamment sur l’accord avec le Mercosur. Plus de transparence pour éviter les conflits d’intérêts, avec un renforcement des règles concernant les anciens députés et les commissaires. Madame la Commissaire, chers collègues, une démocratie courageuse accepte de regarder en face ses faiblesses. Une démocratie courageuse accepte qu’elle sera toujours perfectible. Une démocratie courageuse, nous la devons aux Européens, nous la devons à ceux qui, comme les Ukrainiens, la chérissent au péril de leur vie.
Debate: Engaging with citizens: the right to petition and refer to the European Ombudsman, the European Citizens’ Initiative
Date: MONDAY, 7 MARCH 2022
Speaker: Mariya Gabriel
Language: EN

Let me first refer to the European Citizens’ Initiative, which is a unique instrument of participatory democracy. It gives all European citizens the power to directly approach the European Commission and ask us to take action on a matter they care about. This year, the European Citizens’ Initiative celebrates its 20th anniversary, a good opportunity to give this unique tool even more visibility. Since the beginning of 2020, when the new updated rules started to apply, we have already registered 17 new Citizens’ Initiatives, and we hope to receive many more in the future as we are further extending our information campaign and the legal and practical advice offered by the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) Forum.  Another important right that every European has is to complain to the European Ombudsman. This is indeed a democratic and civil right, aimed at encouraging the full participation of European citizens, businesses, associations and NGOs in the everyday life of the European Union. We attach the utmost importance to it and, as you know, around two thirds of European Ombudsman inquiries concern the Commission as the institution with the most direct administrative dealings with citizens. The inquiries and initiatives of the European Ombudsman cover a variety of important issues. It is, and will remain, essential for all institutions, bodies, offices and agencies of the EU, and particularly the Commission, to provide the best possible services and maintain the highest possible standards for the benefit of all European citizens.  Another important instrument for us is to listen to citizens and our replies to their petitions. They are an effective channel for direct contact and open dialogue with the European citizens. The Commission has made further efforts to improve the speed, quality and pertinence of our replies to petitioners’ concerns. This includes the modernisation of the IT tools for handling petitions and streamlining the underlying procedures. We will continue to provide detailed responses to petitions and outline possible solutions at European or national level.
Debate: Agenda for next sitting
Date: MONDAY, 7 MARCH 2022
Speaker: Dita Charanzová
Country: France
Language: EN

The sitting is closed and it will resume tomorrow, Tuesday, 8 March, at 9.00 with the debate on the report by Ms Kalniete on foreign interference in all democratic processes in the European Union, including disinformation.  The agenda has been published and is available on the European Parliament website.
Debate: Opening of the sitting
Date: TUESDAY, 8 MARCH 2022
Speaker: Robert Roos
Political group: ECR
Country: Spain
Language: EN

Mr President, I would like to draw attention to Rule 237a on Extraordinary measures. According to this rule, Parliament may, ‘in exceptional and unforeseeable circumstances beyond its control, make a temporary derogation from Parliament’s usual procedures.’ Scientists have said that the effect of the COVID pass on transmission is close to zero, even though global data confirms that the pandemic has ended and we have now entered an endemic phase without serious risk to life and health. Now that Belgium and France return to normal, the time has come for the European Parliament to also return to its normal and usual procedures. It doesn’t make any sense to think there is a normal world outside the Parliament where we can get together in bars and restaurants without masks, without social distancing and without COVID passes, but it’s too dangerous and unsafe within the Parliament and that we still need these restrictions. Dear President, there is no logic in continuing extraordinary measures, not even a tiny bit. Let’s end these restrictions today.
Debate: Opening of the sitting
Date: TUESDAY, 8 MARCH 2022
Speaker: Othmar Karas
Country: Germany
Language: DE

Herr Kollege, Sie wissen, dass die zuständigen Gremien, sowohl das Präsidium des Parlaments als auch die Konferenz der Präsidenten, diesen Punkt auf der Tagesordnung haben. Sie wissen, dass die bisherigen Regeln bis zum 13. laufen und dass wir gestern im Präsidium die weitere Vorgangsweise besprochen haben, die zweifelsohne zu einer weiteren Öffnung führen wird. Wir werden Schritt für Schritt vorgehen und die nötigen Beschlüsse dazu durchführen.  Wir sind hier in einem hohen Ausmaß auch gewillt, mit dem Ärztlichen Dienst des Hauses und mit dem Juristischen Dienst, aber auch mit allen Fraktionen darüber zu reden, wie wir hier weiter vorgehen. Auch gestern Abend hat im Präsidium des Parlaments eine eingehende Diskussion dazu stattgefunden.
Debate: Foreign interference in all democratic processes in the EU
Date: TUESDAY, 8 MARCH 2022
Speaker: Othmar Karas
Country: Germany
Language: DE

Als nächster Punkt der Tagungspunkt folgt die Aussprache über den Bericht von Sandra Kalniete im Namen des Sonderausschusses zu Einflussnahme aus dem Ausland auf alle demokratischen Prozesse in der Europäischen Union, einschließlich Desinformation über Einflussnahme aus dem Ausland auf alle demokratischen Prozesse in der Europäischen Union, einschließlich Desinformation (
Debate: Foreign interference in all democratic processes in the EU
Date: TUESDAY, 8 MARCH 2022
Speaker: Othmar Karas
Country: Germany
Language: DE

Frau Vizepräsidentin, meine Damen und Herren! Der Bericht und diese Erklärungen zeigen eindrücklich, dass wir spüren, dass wir wissen, dass wir sehen, wie ernst, wie gefährlich und wie sensibel die Lage ist, und dass wir uns unserer Verantwortung bewusst sind.
Debate: Foreign interference in all democratic processes in the EU
Date: TUESDAY, 8 MARCH 2022
Speaker: Javier Zarzalejos
Political group: PPE
Country: Croatia
Language: EN

As Russian tanks roll into Ukrainian territory, let’s not forget that the invasion has been paid by disinformation, interference and cyber-attacks. This report, which has been brilliantly produced by Sandra Kalniete, is a major and timely contribution to the protection of democratic institutions. It is based on conclusions and findings of experts and researchers but it is a political document demanding political action.  The invasion of Ukraine is a wake-up call, and we need to raise awareness of the challenge of a structural confrontation with Russia as the main threat to our security. We simply cannot tolerate the extension of Russian influence, and this report shows how to prevent it. We have enemies. The European Union has been targeted. We know that Russia, whatever the concrete attribution might be, is always there ready to destabilise, be it in Brexit or in the secessionist move by Catalan nationalists or COVID-19. So funding of populist and extremist parties did capture anti-European narratives. The state-owned media, which by no means deserve to be called journalism, are components of a reality that we have to face up to. And it is high time to act, stepping up the efforts and the shared commitment of Member States and European institutions.
Debate: Foreign interference in all democratic processes in the EU
Date: TUESDAY, 8 MARCH 2022
Speaker: Bart Groothuis
Political group: Renew
Country: Portugal
Language: EN

Some would see former Prime Minister Gerhard Schröder working for Gazprom as a private matter, rather than a broader problem, with many top politicians working for authoritarian regimes, which is called ‘elite capture’. Some see Russian troll farms as an old phenomenon, merely finding its way into the digital age, instead of clear attempts to sow distrust, weaken and divide Europe on an unprecedented scale. Some see intellectual property theft and espionage by China as the second oldest profession in the world — what’s new? — instead of the slow drainage of our economic competitiveness. And some see payments from authoritarian states to political parties as a mere financial transaction, instead of direct foreign interference in our political processes. Now, too often, too often we have looked the other way from incidents, while in fact they are part of a collective, orchestrated, broad way of foreign interference in our democratic processes. Today, Parliament is not just voting on stopping turning a blind eye to these phenomenon. We are also calling for many ways to counter these orchestrated attempts to undermine Europe. Our freedom and democracies are at stake, like both Commissioners have told, so we need a structural and orchestrated response by the Council, the Commission, but also this Parliament. What started as a temporary commission is now going to be a structural European effort. This is the reason why I got into politics. This is the reason why I’m here in Strasbourg, and Brussels, and I’m very glad that this is merely the beginning of a structural, core orchestrated European response to counter such threats.
Debate: Foreign interference in all democratic processes in the EU
Date: TUESDAY, 8 MARCH 2022
Speaker: Viola Von Cramon-Taubadel
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: Ireland
Language: EN

Putin’s Russia is at war with Ukraine and, with that, Putin is challenging the entire democratic world. The current war is fought not only with guns, but also with disinformation. Eighteen months ago, we decided to combat disinformation. Today, Russia’s actions are the reason for this report’s existence. Democracy should never be taken for granted and needs to be built, practised and defended. Those who wish to harm us compromise our democracy by interfering in our elections, co—opting our officials, and spreading disinformation. Actors such as Russia and China choose these methods only because they do not fear to be held accountable, because these methods have high profits and still very low cost. A firm and resolved response is overdue. We need to establish a comprehensive sanctions regime that will deter any foreign interference. For the sanctions to work properly, we need to close the loopholes and take the following actions. Firstly, coordination among the Member States is paramount: united we stand, divided we fall. We need to strive for unity in the EU, and this requires strengthening our crucial institution. EEAS StratCom must become more independent and a much stronger voice in the EU. Disinformation is best fought by information. We have to provide Russian and Chinese courses, and not the Confucius Institute or any kind of  Independent, fact—based journalism is the cornerstone of democracy, and we need to protect our critical infrastructure. Digital platforms need to put the credibility of content before profit. The world where disinformation is not countered is dangerous and scary. A very sad example is Putin’s Russia, where propaganda has reached dystopian levels, and where Putin tries to intimidate its population into believing that a democratic Ukraine, led by a President with Jewish roots, is run by a genocidal Nazi regime. Critical thinking is the best remedy against foreign interference on the continent of enlightenment. Critical thinking is already part of our EU’s DNA. This needs to be further strengthened, all this while safeguarding our fundamental values of freedom of expression, assembly and education. I hope we stay on the right side of history.
Debate: Foreign interference in all democratic processes in the EU
Date: TUESDAY, 8 MARCH 2022
Speaker: Dace Melbārde
Political group: ECR
Country: Bulgaria
Language: LV

Šodien mums ir sev atklāti jāpavaicā, vai pārāk ilgi neesam pievēruši acis uz dažādiem Kremļa iejaukšanās mēģinājumiem Eiropas Savienības dalībvalstu vēlēšanu norisēs, politisko partiju finansēšanā, ekonomikā, enerģētikā, banku sektorā, kultūrā un izglītībā un arī informācijas telpā, tostarp pieļaujot, ka Kremlis vārda brīvību izmanto kā aizsegu savām dezinformācijas un propagandas operācijām. Pašreizējā situācija skarbi parāda, ka demokrātijām ir jāspēj sevi aizsargāt, un šobrīd mūsu neatliekamais uzdevums ir nodrošināt tūlītēju un atbilstošu atbalstu neatkarīgajiem medijiem, žurnālistiem un faktu pārbaudītājiem no Ukrainas, Baltkrievijas un Krievijas, tostarp redakcijām, kas ir spiestas pārtraukt savu darbību dzimtenē un strādāt — vai vēlas atsākt strādāt — Eiropas Savienībā. Otrkārt, Eiropas Savienībā ir jāvēršas pret visu Kremļa propagandas mašinēriju. Borela kungs,  Man ir jāvaicā, kolēģi, vai to mēs vēlamies saukt un aizstāvēt kā vārda brīvību tepat mūsu Eiropas Savienībā. Paldies kolēģei Sandrai Kalnietei par titānisko darbu.
Debate: Foreign interference in all democratic processes in the EU
Date: TUESDAY, 8 MARCH 2022
Speaker: Márton Gyöngyösi
Political group: NI
Country: Poland
Language: EN

Mr President, we are discussing a very relevant report with important recommendations as to how foreign interference, especially fake news, should be detected and fended off by the EU and its Member States by supporting independent media.  Unfortunately, in some EU countries, it’s too late, as authoritarian governments have already conquered the entire media landscape, turned public broadcasting financed by EU taxpayers into a propaganda machine and – by controlling advertising revenues and resources –forced the commercial media to play by the rules of the regime. No, not in some distant Third World country, but within the EU! In a country like Viktor Orban’s Hungary.  Mr Borrell, I was very much touched by what you said about the link between the democratic ideal and access to information. This is why I would like to recommend the establishment of a European public broadcasting and news service independent from national governments and from market pressures as well, financed from the EU budget. All citizens should have access to it in every EU language. All national broadcasters should make it available, free of charge, on a must—carry basis. It’s time to create a single European narrative instead of 27 separate ones, to strengthen our European identity and to protect our citizens from malign propaganda.
Debate: Foreign interference in all democratic processes in the EU
Date: TUESDAY, 8 MARCH 2022
Speaker: Rasa Juknevičienė
Political group: PPE
Country: Germany
Language: EN

Mr President, wars end sooner or later, but the truth never ends. This report is an attempt to face the truth, to understand how deeply we are tied up. Putin’s war against Europe has woken us up, and today some of the provisions of this report have already been implemented. We have to understand, that the Kremlin’s machine of lies is not media. It is a weapon of mass brain and mind destruction. The most important work today is, first, together with the whole world, to remove the malign tumour – Putin.  Second, to regain European sovereignty, which has been constrained by the ‘bloody’ gas flowing from the Kremlin. Our dependence on Russian gas is the result of two decades of creeping occupation of Europe. With the Kremlin gas came corruption, and the war is being financed by the euros of European states. Every day, today, all the European countries together pay over EUR 600 million to Russia for gas and oil. That is to say, they buy at least 200 tanks for the Kremlin war every day. Dear German Greens, Socialists and Liberals, you can help Ukraine defend itself and defend us too – embargo the bloody gas now! I wish to thank the rapporteurs for their work.