unimelb-nlp/MultiEup-v2 huggingface dataset:
Debate: Nature restoration
Date: WEDNESDAY, 12 JULY 2023
Speaker: Chris MacManus
Political group: The Left
Country: Austria
Language: EN

Mr President, the Nature Restoration Law endorsed today was an important step in placing the reversing of widespread loss of flora and fauna to the top of the agenda. But we must ensure that farmers are fully involved in this process. We need to address their concerns. The Parliament’s endorsement of Sinn Féin’s amendment on having a national socio-economic impact assessment to tailor any measures or plan to suit Irish food producers is a welcome one. However, for this law to make headway, we need to be pragmatic. It is crucial that the Irish Government and the EU ensure that there will be voluntary rewetting, safeguarding of Irish family farmers’ livelihoods, especially our hill farmers and participation of stakeholders in decision-making on any measures and plans locally. Further new dedicated funding and revenue streams for farmers, foresters and fishers alike to incentivise rather than penalise. This needs to be part of any final package, and we in Sinn Féin will keep pushing for these.
Debate: Nature restoration
Date: WEDNESDAY, 12 JULY 2023
Speaker: Stanislav Polčák
Political group: PPE
Country: Czechia
Language: CS

Pane předsedající, já jsem rovněž tento návrh podpořil. Mám za to, že je dobře, aby Evropský parlament také přišel se svou pozicí do jednání v trialogu. My totiž skutečně vidíme nemocnou krajinu a je důležité zahájit ihned léčbu. Já jsem přesvědčen, že nemůžeme odkládat léčbu naše přírody a její obnovu. Mizí nám totiž ptáci, opylovači, hmyz. Biodiverzita se propadá neuvěřitelným tempem. To, co potřebujeme, je nepochybně se pozitivně posunout, přijmout závazky na budování krajinotvorných prvků, na skutečnou obnovu přírody, a také vzít na palubu všechny aktéry. Já bych nevyděloval z působnosti tohoto nařízení žádné relevantní aktéry, jako jsou zemědělci, samozřejmě vědci, krajináři. Všichni musí pracovat na obnově a ochraně přírody, protože to je naše jediná naděje na budoucnost. My potravinovou bezpečnost zajistíme tím, že skutečně ochráníme naši půdu a krajinu.
Debate: Accession to the Schengen area
Date: WEDNESDAY, 12 JULY 2023
Speaker: Cristian Terheş
Political group: ECR
Country: Poland
Language: RO

Domnule președinte, din 2021, Consiliul încalcă flagrant dreptul României de a fi membră cu drepturi depline în Schengen, cu toate că îndeplinește toate condițiile prevăzute de tratat pentru a fi membră. Costul plătit de economia românească de pe urma acestui abuz, ce se manifestă prin cozi interminabile în vămi și emisii de milioane de tone de gaze, cost cuantificat în miliarde de euro, trebuie despăgubit de țările care au încălcat dreptul României. Aceasta e ceea ce solicită această rezoluție pentru care am votat. Este inadmisibil ca România să fie folosită ca sac de box în luptele interne din diverse țări ale Uniunii Europene, care apoi să șantajeze România cu un vot favorabil de a intra în Schengen dacă le dă la schimb gaze, porturi, facilități fiscale sau contracte preferențiale. Timpul acestui tip de atitudine colonială a trecut. Nu solicităm niciun privilegiu, ci doar respectarea dreptului garantat de tratat, ca atunci când România îndeplinește condițiile, intră în Schengen. România și-a îndeplinit obligațiile din 2011 de a fi membră Schengen. Prin urmare, solicit Consiliului să ia act de acest lucru astfel încât România să intre în Schengen în 2023.
Debate: Situation in Lebanon
Date: WEDNESDAY, 12 JULY 2023
Speaker: Jiří Pospíšil
Political group: PPE
Country: Netherlands
Language: CS

Pane předsedající, já jsem podpořil toto usnesení, a to z toho prostého důvodu, že si myslím, že to je přesně politika, kterou Evropská unie má dělat vůči zemím, které potenciálně mohou být zdrojem migrace. Libanon, země, která dříve byla vnímána jako Švýcarsko Blízkého východu, je dnes v silné ekonomické a politické krizi. A my se tím musíme zabývat, musíme komunikovat s tamní vládou. Musíme udělat vše pro to, abychom té zemi pomohli tak, aby z ní nezačaly odcházet desítky tisíc, statisíce uprchlíků, kteří potom se budou pokoušet přes Středozemní moře či přes Turecko dorazit do Evropy. Takže to je přesně podle mě nenásilná, správná, konsenzuální politika. Proto jsem ten návrh usnesení podpořil.
Debate: Situation in Lebanon
Date: WEDNESDAY, 12 JULY 2023
Speaker: Eugen Tomac
Political group: PPE
Country: France
Language: RO

Domnule președinte, Liban se confruntă în prezent cu o criză fără precedent, cu provocări politice, economice, sociale, financiare și de sănătate. O realitate, pe care am cunoscut-o recent, în vizita pe care am efectuat-o în această țară. Majoritatea populației trăiește în sărăcie, în timp ce accesul la servicii de bază, precum îngrijirea medicală și alimentele, devine din ce în ce mai dificil. Ca lider global, Uniunea Europeană are un rol crucial în sprijinirea acestei țări. Trebuie să oferim asistență și îndrumare urgentă pentru a aborda cauzele profunde ale crizei și pentru a readuce stabilitatea. Prin solidaritate cu Libanul, demonstrăm angajamentul nostru față de pace și democrație. Este momentul ca Uniunea Europeană să-și mobilizeze resursele, expertiza și influența pentru a avea un impact durabil. Trebuie să ne unim în sprijinul poporului libanez.
Debate: State of the EU-Cuba PDCA in the light of the recent visit of the High Representative to the island
Date: WEDNESDAY, 12 JULY 2023
Speaker: Mick Wallace
Political group: The Left
Country: Germany
Language: EN

Mr President, at the last plenary, we listened to High Representative Borrell report back from his visit to Cuba in May, and he was strong in his responses to attacks by the far right on the EU—Cuba Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement. Borrell acknowledged the extensive reform process undertaken in Cuba initiated by Raul Castro’s transition government: reforms around the private sector, the most progressive family court in the world and a series of high—turnout elections. Those criticising the PDCA call out human rights abuses in Cuba, but are silent on the human rights impact of the illegal US blockade of the island. They deny the achievements of the Cuban Government in the face of relentless economic terrorism. The democratic provision of nutrition, healthcare, education, housing and employment; advances in sustainable agriculture, medical care and technology: if we genuinely care about Cuba, we will be doing more to circumvent sanctions, not calling for more punishment for the Cuban people.
Debate: COVID- pandemic: lessons learned and recommendations for the future
Date: WEDNESDAY, 12 JULY 2023
Speaker: Eugen Tomac
Political group: PPE
Country: France
Language: RO

Domnule președinte, gestionarea crizei generată de pandemie a reprezentat un test major pentru Uniunea Europeană. Cu acest prilej, am putut observa câte vulnerabilități există în sistemul public de sănătate din Europa și evident că este bine că am putut acționa solidari și uniți. Însă, odată cu trecerea acestei crize, au rămas foarte multe întrebări deschise de la care cetățenii așteaptă răspuns. Tocmai de aceea, este esențial ca pe viitor să fim pregătiți pentru a gestiona mult mai bine, mult mai profesionist, mult mai predictibil și, evident, aplicând o politică a prevenției mult mai eficientă, astfel încât cetățenii noștri să poată face față oricăror provocări ce țin de sănătate. Și evident, convingerea mea este că pe viitor, Uniunea Europeană trebuie să aibă mai multe competențe în ceea ce privește sănătatea publică.
Debate: COVID- pandemic: lessons learned and recommendations for the future
Date: WEDNESDAY, 12 JULY 2023
Speaker: Rosa D'Amato
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: Czechia
Language: IT

Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, la relazione è debole e annacquata e ho votato contro. Si parla di approccio  L'Unione ha dato miliardi di soldi pubblici alle grandi case farmaceutiche per la ricerca, ma non ha revocato loro i brevetti. Non si pretende la pubblicazione dei contratti sui vaccini, eppure si tratta di democrazia e di opportuna rendicontazione di una vicenda sanitaria e umanitaria di portata straordinaria, che ha minato sino alle fondamenta i diritti che si pensava fossero inalienabili, come il diritto alla libera circolazione e al lavoro.  Il diritto al lavoro e al reddito è stato segnato indelebilmente dall'abuso di un limite furbescamente definito  Manca una netta condanna delle disparità nell'accesso alle cure e ad altre contromisure mediche diverse dai vaccini; è debole sugli effetti avversi, sulla farmacovigilanza, nonché sulla responsabilità e sulle garanzie per i risarcimenti. Una nota positiva, però c'è, ed è la proposta di creare un'infrastruttura pubblica europea autonoma, senza finalità di profitto per lo sviluppo di nuovi farmaci. Alla faccia della destra che invece dichiara che non si può socializzare la scienza. Siete vergognosi!
Debate: COVID- pandemic: lessons learned and recommendations for the future
Date: WEDNESDAY, 12 JULY 2023
Speaker: Cristian Terheş
Political group: ECR
Country: Poland
Language: EN

Mr President, I voted against the COVID Committee report because not only is it justifying the abuses that happened during the lockdown, but it is creating the premise for such abuses to be employed again by the governments against the people in the future. I was one of the MEPs who fought for freedom and who asked numerous specific questions during the pandemic. We asked to see, for example, in full the contract signed by Ursula von der Leyen with the big pharma, but we were refused. We asked to see the mobile text messages exchanged between Ursula von der Leyen and the CEO of Pfizer, but again, we were refused. We ask that the Commission President be called before the COVID Committee to answer questions. We were refused again. The COVID report is testament that the massive and systematic cover—up of the incompetence of the European Commission and the corruption of Ursula von der Leyen. The cover—up was carried out by EPP, S&D and Renew political groups, who decided to put their obedience to the big pharma and Ursula von der Leyen over the rights and dignity of the EU citizens. I call therefore on all the EU citizens not to vote EPP, S&D and Renew in any office in the future.
Debate: Relations with the Palestinian Authority
Date: WEDNESDAY, 12 JULY 2023
Speaker: Jiří Pospíšil
Political group: PPE
Country: Netherlands
Language: CS

Pane předsedající, já chci zdůvodnit toto usnesení, protože jsem nakonec nepodpořil usnesení týkající se Palestinské samosprávy. Ten důvod je takový, že jsem přesvědčen, že tato zpráva je vůči Palestinské samosprávě příliš pozitivní a příliš nezohledňuje to, že hlavním partnerem, alespoň tak to já vnímám, vůči demokracii v Evropě je Stát Izrael. Demokracie, která zde na Blízkém východě funguje, která s námi velmi intenzivně spolupracuje, zatímco Palestinská samospráva je spojena s mnoha problémy. Například takový, že tam delší dobu již neproběhly volby, které by legitimizovaly samotnou správu Palestiny, a bohužel nevnímáme, alespoň tak já to vnímám, dostatečný boj Palestinské samosprávy proti terorismu. Já bych tedy byl v tomto směru vůči palestinské samosprávě přísnější.
Debate: Relations with the Palestinian Authority
Date: WEDNESDAY, 12 JULY 2023
Speaker: Chris MacManus
Political group: The Left
Country: Austria
Language: EN

Mr President, the situation in Palestine is dire and the Israeli regime is making conditions in Palestine difficult for any free and democratic government to function. In the West Bank, nearly 200 permanent checkpoints, scores of barriers, a draconian permit regime – all supported by a repressive biometric surveillance system – continues to control and divide families. Tens of thousands of Palestinians are at risk of forced eviction by the Israelis, who, in parallel, kill innocents and destroy refugee camps and homes. It is a shame that today I was forced to vote against the report on Palestine, courtesy of deplorable amendments by the ECR, trying to wrongly link legitimate criticism of the Israeli state with antisemitism, whilst ignoring Israeli crimes and suffocation of Palestinian statehood and democratic government. It seems they are content as mouthpieces for the Israeli regime. However, be clear on this: there are many of us who will continue to challenge you as apologists for annexation, apartheid and occupation.
Debate: Report on Albania
Date: WEDNESDAY, 12 JULY 2023
Speaker: Jiří Pospíšil
Political group: PPE
Country: Netherlands
Language: CS

Pane předsedající, já jsem podpořil tuto každoroční zprávu o Albánii. Myslím si, že musíme věnovat zemím Balkánu, které jsou kandidátskými zeměmi do Evropské unie, mnohem větší pozornost. Geopolitická situace se mění. Rusko jasně ukazuje svoje zájmy nejen ve svém sousedství bývalých zemí Sovětského svazu, ale i na Balkáně. A my, hlavně z těch  geopolitických důvodů, pominu-li ostatní důvody, jako jsou společné hodnoty s ostatními evropskými zeměmi, musíme udělat vše pro to, aby tyto země viděly jasnou cestu do Evropské unie. A to neříkám pouze jako frázi, ale myslím, že válka na Ukrajině to jasně ukazuje. A proto jsem rád, že tato zpráva se přijala, byť jsou tam popisovány i určité nedostatky, které Albánie má třeba i v oblasti justice. Ukazuje se – viz Bosna a Hercegovina –, že Rusko je velmi aktivní na Balkáně. Bude dělat vše pro to, aby zde politicky posilovalo a aby se tyto státy nepřibližovaly Evropě. My musíme činit pravý opak.
Debate: Financial activities of the European Investment Bank – annual report
Date: WEDNESDAY, 12 JULY 2023
Speaker: Eugen Tomac
Political group: PPE
Country: France
Language: RO

Domnule președinte, am votat astăzi acest raport care recunoaște rolul important pe care îl joacă Banca Europeană de Investiții în dezvoltarea Uniunii Europene. Ca instituție financiară a Uniunii Europene, Banca Europeană de Investiții a avut un rol primordial în reducerea decalajului de investiții, susținând obiectivele noastre și promovând o creștere economică reală. În acest sens, subliniez importanța crucială a sprijinului acordat de BEI pentru reconstrucția Ucrainei, o țară profund afectată de consecințele crizei de sănătate, a războiului ce ține de agresiunea declanșată de Rusia, iar angajamentul Băncii Europene de Investiții cu fonduri semnificative deja acordate este mai mult decât de apreciat și absolut necesar. În plus, îndemn BEI să extindă sprijinul de asistență acordat românilor din Republica Moldova, care, din păcate, se află în momentul de față în continuare sub presiunea Kremlinului. Numai prin îndrumarea Uniunii Europene și prin resursele financiare acordate de noi, statele partenere vor continua să-și urmeze parcursul european.
Debate: Council position at first reading
Date: THURSDAY, 13 JULY 2023
Speaker: Dimitrios Papadimoulis
Country: France
Language: EL

Πριν περάσουμε στα θέματα της ημερήσιας διάταξης έχω μια ανακοίνωση: Η Πρόεδρος έλαβε από το Συμβούλιο τη θέση του σε πρώτη ανάγνωση καθώς και τους λόγους που ώθησαν το Συμβούλιο να την υιοθετήσει και τις θέσεις και γνωμοδοτήσεις της Επιτροπής.  Ο πλήρης τίτλος θα καταχωριστεί στα Συνοπτικά Πρακτικά της παρούσας συνεδρίασης.  Επομένως, η τρίμηνη προθεσμία που έχει το Κοινοβούλιο για να αποφανθεί αρχίζει να τρέχει από αύριο, 14 Ιουλίου 2023.
Debate: Public access to documents – annual report for the years -
Date: THURSDAY, 13 JULY 2023
Speaker: Dimitrios Papadimoulis
Country: France
Language: EL

Το πρώτο σημείο στην ημερήσια διάταξη είναι η συζήτηση επί της εκθέσεως της κ. Evin Incir, εξ ονόματος της Επιτροπής Πολιτικών Ελευθεριών, Δικαιοσύνης και Εσωτερικών Υποθέσεων, σχετικά με την πρόσβαση του κοινού στα έγγραφα - ετήσια έκθεση για τα έτη 2019-2021 (
Debate: Public access to documents – annual report for the years -
Date: THURSDAY, 13 JULY 2023
Speaker: Evin Incir
Country: Hungary
Language: EN

Because it is evident that we have a long way to go before a culture of transparency reaches every and each corner of the EU’s DNA. All EU institutions – European Parliament, the Council, including Member States, the Commission and the agencies – have homework to do. And in the light of the Commission President’s handling of the text messages with the Pfizer Chief Executive during COVID-19, we have a long way to go before transparency becomes the rule and by design – not the exception – and in the goodwill of decision-makers, institutions and agencies. No, it’s not the medium that matters; it is the content of the message that decides the nature of the document. I have said it before in other debates, and I want to underline it again. Regardless of if the communication is being done with text messages, emails, letter or even pigeons, it’s not the medium that decides the nature of the document; it is the content. Openness and transparency principles should govern not only the decision-making process, but also the way in which a text is drafted, and guaranteed in relation to how EU policies are implemented at all levels and how EU funds are used. It is shocking that even journalists need to conduct a big fight to access what is a fundamental right to access basic information to be able to do their job. Transparency by design is therefore the guarantee. Furthermore, access delayed is effectively access denied. Delay and unfounded refusal to disclose documents – even partially – undermine citizens’ right to scrutinise us. In a time of democratic backslide in our Union, improving our citizens’ right to scrutiny would prevent further deterioration and ensure full implementation of our own Treaties. Pulitzer said, ‘There is not a crime, there is not a dodge, there is not a trick, there is not a swindle, there is not a vice which does not live by secrecy’. Colleagues, secrecy is the enemy of transparency, accountability, trust and democracy. Therefore, the Council’s lack of will to progress on negotiations on Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 regarding public access to European Parliament, Council and Commission documents remains the main obstacle and stone in the machinery for progress and improvement. The European Parliament adopted a first reading position on the Commission proposal in December 2011, and now is definitely the time for the Council and the Commission to also act on their side and to resume negotiations based on it with us to give our citizens wider and improved access to documents. Only words have never changed the world, but actions have. I want to also conclude with thanking my co-rapporteurs for the very efficient and productive work done on this very important matter.
Debate: Public access to documents – annual report for the years -
Date: THURSDAY, 13 JULY 2023
Speaker: Miapetra Kumpula-Natri
Country: France
Language: EN

In the AFCO opinion, we also highlighted that Parliament’s own relevant bodies and all EU bodies should ensure that the documents are easily accessible to the public. It gives certain examples of the disappointing cases in the Council, in Commission but also in Parliament and very-well based recommendations that how to make the webpage more easily readable to gather the information and then also for the citizens to understand what is happening here. I want to underline that the data, once it is given to the journalist or people should be in the machine-readable format. We live in the digitalised age and it’s quite horrible to listen that they only release the documents in the PDF format, and it’s especially important when it’s concerning numerical or financial data. So let us do this better and get digitalised and transparent institutions.
Debate: Public access to documents – annual report for the years -
Date: THURSDAY, 13 JULY 2023
Speaker: Andrzej Halicki
Political group: PPE
Country: Finland
Language: PL

Obywatele mają nie tylko prawo, ale powinni mieć łatwy dostęp do informacji właśnie po to, by weryfikować te nieprawdziwe informacje pojawiające się w przestrzeni. I tu rzeczywiście nowe technologie nam służą. Dziękujemy i z nadzieją witamy nowe inicjatywy, nowe portale, nowe sposoby uzyskiwania dostępu do ważnych informacji, które budują wiedzę i świadomość.  Chcę podkreślić jedną rzecz: nasze statystyki pokazują, że w instytucjach europejskich ten dostęp jest dość dobry. W Parlamencie Europejskim najlepszy – na poziomie 91%, w instytucjach takich jak Komisja Europejska czy Rada Unii Europejskiej – 81% i 84% . Ale brak czy odmowa dostępu do informacji musi być wyjątkiem. Dostępność i obowiązek przekazywania informacji jest regułą. I to odstępstwo musi być naprawdę bardzo jasno wyjaśnione i zinterpretowane, gdy narusza bezpieczeństwo publiczne i interes publiczny.  Chciałbym jeszcze powiedzieć jedną rzecz, bo rozmawiamy bez udziału Rady Europejskiej. Właśnie ze strony Rady mamy blokadę przejścia do kolejnej fazy implementacji reguł i dobrej współpracy na przyszłość. Wzywam więc z tego miejsca Radę, by ten postęp nastąpił, by można było przejść do negocjacji, by rzeczywiście usprawnić dostęp obywateli do informacji publicznej.
Debate: Public access to documents – annual report for the years -
Date: THURSDAY, 13 JULY 2023
Speaker: Cyrus Engerer
Political group: S-D
Country: Romania
Language: EN

And my only experience of this was when, during the pandemic, we had the right to see the negotiations and contracts that the European Commission was doing with the different pharmaceutical companies, you would not even be able to read the page because all of it was totally redacted. So, while we may be happy or say that the numbers are good, in reality, when you look down at what actually is being given, the Commission was totally not transparent on what happened. And I think that this report highlights the urgency with which Europe needs to act on its democratic legitimacy. We do not give visibility to our work simply by posting posts on social media, very nice pictures. But people care about and should know about what is happening behind closed doors because that is where the decisions that affect their daily lives are being taken. And I think that the Qatar scandal should have been a big wake-up call for all of us. And, unless our response is real ambition, these kinds of scandal scandals will keep on emerging. As is highlighted in this report, We have a very long way to go in this area. The changes needed to address the limits of the Public Access to Documents Regulations have been advocated by Parliament for many years now, and it seems like our pleas have so far fallen on deaf ears. We need to reopen negotiations and as soon as possible, because our citizens deserve the widest possible access to documents we use in our day at work.
Debate: Public access to documents – annual report for the years -
Date: THURSDAY, 13 JULY 2023
Speaker: Sophia in 't Veld
Political group: Renew
Country: Poland
Language: EN

That’s true in itself. But there is something much more important – it is a key element of democracy. Without transparency and access to documents, there is no scrutiny. Without scrutiny, there is no accountability. And if we say that we are a political Union, even a geopolitical Union, where the Commission and the Council and Parliament have taken great strides ahead in recent years in response to crisis, then the need for more transparency is more pressing than ever. And I respectfully disagree with you, Madam Commissioner, that the European Commission is very transparent, and the same applies to the Council. I think we really need a dramatic improvement. And as has been highlighted by my colleague, the so-called SMS-gate or delete-gate urgently needs to be answered. But there, colleagues, I would also like to raise a critical note to this House. How is it possible that a journalist went to court,  Ms von der Leyen should appear here before the plenary and explain. And I think she has a duty; there cannot be any excuses. The law applies to Ms von der Leyen and to the Commission as well. She has to register the text messages so that they can be accessed if need be.