unimelb-nlp/MultiEup-v2 huggingface dataset:
Debate: The current political situation in Georgia
Date: TUESDAY, 9 MARCH 2021
Speaker: Marina Kaljurand
Political group: S-D
Country: Poland
Language: EN

Madam President, thank you to the High Representative. First of all, I fully agree with the statement made by my good colleague Sven Mikser. As the Chair of the Delegation for relations with the South Caucasus, I have followed with concern the political polarisation and internal division in Georgia. However, today I would like to speak on an optimistic note as I see a clear momentum for a long—awaited political reconciliation. I would like to recognise the visit of the EU Council President Michel to Tbilisi, his personal engagement and the appointment of Mr Christian Danielsson to guide the mediation. This is an important addition and upgrade to the extraordinary work that EU Ambassador Carl Hartzell is doing. It is also a clear signal that the EU does not only make political statements but gets involved if needed. There is no time to lose. I urge all Georgia’s political actors to put the interests of their people above party politics and focus on the tasks ahead, including pro—European reforms on democracy and rule of law.
Debate: The current political situation in Georgia
Date: TUESDAY, 9 MARCH 2021
Speaker: Nicolae Ştefănuță
Political group: Renew
Country: Belgium
Language: EN

Madam President, on 21 January Georgia said it was ready to apply for membership of the Union in 2024, and we were glad to hear that. While we want Georgia in, does it know what it means to be in? I know that transition from a closed society to a just, transparent and democratic system is never an easy one. I come from Romania and we have experienced that for the last 30 years.  If Georgia truly wants to change the trajectory and ascend to a Euro-Atlantic integration, it needs to really show commitment. It needs to be more reform-oriented and more creative and open in its foreign policy. It must fully undo the damage left by the previous flawed regime. It must commit to the rules and values that make us Europeans.  Georgians can no longer situate themselves between real democracy and imitation democracy. Violent clashes, the use of excessive force and the suppression of civil society are unacceptable. I hope that Georgia will find that point of balance where political pluralism is reinforced and the pluralisation of the society is toned down.  If Georgia wants European and Atlantic integration, it cannot slip down the claws of corruption. Democracies are tested every day throughout the world. It is a win or lose game. Georgia, I believe, needs to win at this one.
Debate: The current political situation in Georgia
Date: TUESDAY, 9 MARCH 2021
Speaker: Viola Von Cramon-Taubadel
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: Ireland
Language: EN

Madam President, Georgia, the leader of the Eastern Partnership, faces a political crisis. Politicians from both camps are to be blamed for this mess. They put their egos above the country’s interest and choose polarisation over cooperation. To resolve the crisis, the EU needs to move from facilitation to mediation, as we have done now. The people of Georgia need to be the cornerstone of the solution. They should decide the date and time of the next elections. Those elections would only be an emergency fix and not a long-term solution. Without a completely new electoral system, we will see the crisis repeating itself. The reform of the judiciary and more parliamentary oversight for the opposition must be the political priority. Both harmful shadow actors – Mr Saakashvili and Mr Ivanishvili – should stop any further interference.  High Representative, the EU needs to act in Georgia. We cannot be absent once again during the next crisis in this region. This House, myself included, is more than ready to lead the way.
Debate: The current political situation in Georgia
Date: TUESDAY, 9 MARCH 2021
Speaker: Zdzisław Krasnodębski
Political group: ECR
Country: Greece
Language: PL

Pani Przewodnicząca! Wydarzenia w Gruzji słusznie napawają nas niepokojem, to kolejny objaw rosnącej destabilizacji politycznej Kaukazu powodującej niebezpieczeństwo większego uzależnienia tego regionu od Moskwy. Unia jako mediator i uczciwy pośrednik powinna pomóc w przezwyciężeniu tego konfliktu, ale ten kryzys polityczny nie jest tylko rezultatem wewnętrznego sporu między władzą a opozycją, jest także efektem niespełnionych przez nas, drodzy koledzy, nadziei Gruzinów na integrację ich kraju ze strukturami euroatlantyckimi, z Unią i NATO. To efekt naszej europejskiej niekonsekwentnej polityki wobec Gruzji – rozbudzenie, a potem stłumienie nadziei na wyrwanie się z rosyjskiej strefy wpływów oraz na członkostwo w strukturach euroatlantyckich. Czas, abyśmy przystąpili do realizowania tych nadziei, to jest najlepsza, choć niełatwa droga do uśmierzenia... (wystąpienie mówcy zostało na chwilę przerwane z powodu awarii instalacji elektrycznej).
Debate: The current political situation in Georgia
Date: TUESDAY, 9 MARCH 2021
Speaker: Zdzisław Krasnodębski
Political group: ECR
Country: Greece
Language: PL

Rozbudzenie, a potem stłumienie nadziei na wyrwanie się z rosyjskiej strefy wpływów oraz na członkostwo w strukturach euroatlantyckich – to jest nasz błąd, Koledzy. Czas, abyśmy przystąpili do realizowania tych nadziei, nadziei Gruzinów. To jest także najlepsza, choć niełatwa droga do uśmierzenia wewnętrznych konfliktów i do stabilizacji Gruzji.
Debate: The current political situation in Georgia
Date: TUESDAY, 9 MARCH 2021
Speaker: Andrius Kubilius
Political group: PPE
Country: France
Language: EN

Madam President, really I will not try to start from a serious statement that my speech about the crisis in Georgia is so important that this was the reason why somebody was attempting to prevent my statement. Well, we’ve overcome this crisis and I hope that we shall be able to overcome also the political crisis in Georgia. I will start with very simple words. Let me say that all of us, we love Georgia and Georgian people. And that is why it is so difficult to see Georgia in this deep and long lasting political crisis. Because this is a crisis of democracy. Maturity of democracy means transparency of elections, rule of law and non-politicisation of justice, real adherence to democracy values and fair parliamentary processes.  As a Co-Chairman of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly, one year ago I sincerely congratulated ruling party and opposition on March 8 agreements, and hoped that Georgian democracy will come back to normality. Unfortunately, one year later Georgia is in an even worse situation than before. I am not going to take part in the popular Georgian political game of blaming one another, I simply would urge both sides to start to behave as real Europeans, who are striving to join a European and transatlantic community of democracies.  I would like to take the opportunity to praise the job, recently done by Charles Michel. I hope that our friends in Georgia do understand that this is the highest level of EU involvement into management of their crisis. And I would urge our friends in Georgia not to waste this opportunity.
Debate: The current political situation in Georgia
Date: TUESDAY, 9 MARCH 2021
Speaker: Carmen Avram
Political group: S-D
Country: Romania
Language: RO

Doamna președintă, sunt cetățean al unei țări, România, care a trecut și mai trece uneori prin mari turbulențe politice. Ca și Georgia, avem și noi în vecinătate același stat ai cărui lideri aleg războiul sub toate formele lui ca unică formă de comunicare. Ca și georgienii, am traversat și noi o epocă toxică și neagră care părea interminabilă, dar am reușit să progresăm pentru că în câteva momente cheie am făcut front comun - cetățeni și clasă politică deopotrivă. Acum e un moment cheie pentru Georgia.  Prelungirea acestui conflict care a durat deja prea mult ar putea avea consecințe grave timp de ani sau decenii. Orice convingere că lupta politică e mai importantă decât soarta unei națiuni va lăsa ruine acolo unde începuse să se ridice o construcție democratică și orice discurs extern care va încuraja o tabără în detrimentul celeilalte va fi nociv, căci va înteți doar ura într-o țară care vrea să iasă la lumină.  Datoria noastră aici este deci să facem tot ce este omenește posibil pentru a aduce puterea și opoziția la aceeași masă. E singura soluție pentru democratizarea Georgiei și apropierea ei de Uniunea Europeană.
Debate: The current political situation in Georgia
Date: TUESDAY, 9 MARCH 2021
Speaker: Kosma Złotowski
Political group: ECR
Language: PL

Pani Przewodnicząca! Szanowny Panie Wysoki Przedstawicielu! Szanowni Państwo! Gruzja to jeden z najważniejszych partnerów Unii Europejskiej. Nasze relacje muszą być oparte na wzajemnym zaufaniu i zrozumieniu. Kryzys, jaki obserwujemy od kilku miesięcy, budzi nasz niepokój, ponieważ zdajemy sobie sprawę, że budowanie trwałego systemu demokratycznego to proces delikatny i wymagający współpracy wszystkich partii i sił politycznych. Bardzo łatwo przez jedną pochopną decyzję zaprzepaścić to, co udało się osiągnąć do tej pory.  Nie chcemy naszych przyjaciół krytykować ani pouczać, ale nie możemy też udawać, że nic się nie dzieje. Wiele z państw członkowskich miało podobne doświadczenia i przechodziło przez podobne kryzysy. Jesteśmy gotowi dzielić się naszą wiedzą i wspierać demokratyczny dialog między rządem a opozycją. Gruzini jednoznacznie opowiadają się za państwem nowoczesnym i demokratycznym, które jest integralną częścią świata zachodniego. Klasa polityczna i liderzy partyjni w Tbilisi powinni o tym pamiętać i wydaje mi się, po rozmowach z nimi, że pamiętają. Powodzenia!
Debate: The current political situation in Georgia
Date: TUESDAY, 9 MARCH 2021
Speaker: Vladimír Bilčík
Political group: PPE
Country: France
Language: EN

Madam President, I am deeply concerned with the ongoing situation in Georgia and I would like to join the calls for the de—escalation of tensions. Leaders across the political spectrum in Georgia must find European solutions for the current crisis, solutions based on democratic standards, respect for dialogue between political opponents and the ability to compromise for the good of the Georgian people. I appreciate the immediate European reaction to mediate in the current crisis and, while I welcome the efforts by President Michel and the incoming personal envoy, Christian Danielson, I would like to emphasise that the European Parliament can also play a constructive role in the mediation process. We, as Members of this House, have parliamentary instruments, such as the Jean Monnet Dialogue, and should stand ready to do our utmost to help Georgia out of this crisis, not only by debating in Brussels, but also on the ground in Tbilisi. The bottom line is that pro—European and democratic Georgia must prevail and we must also do everything in order to stop Russia from using this crisis to meddle in the geopolitics of the Southern Caucasus.
Debate: The current political situation in Georgia
Date: TUESDAY, 9 MARCH 2021
Speaker: Tomasz Piotr Poręba
Political group: ECR
Country: Germany
Language: PL

Pani Przewodnicząca! Gruzja od lat odgrywała wiodącą rolę wśród wszystkich państw Partnerstwa Wschodniego, i to pod wieloma względami: poparcia dla proeuropejskiego i pronatowskiego kursu ze strony obywateli, rozwoju i poziomu świadomości społeczeństwa obywatelskiego czy wreszcie prędkości i głębokości reform, w tym tych związanych z przemianami demokratycznymi. Choć aspiracje i dążenia Gruzinów nie uległy zmianie, wygląda niestety na to, że zaangażowanie rządzącej partii Gruzińskie Marzenie w tej dziedzinie zdecydowanie zmalało.  Obserwujemy kolejny już powyborczy kryzys polityczny z bardzo podobnym scenariuszem: wykorzystanie narzędzi administracyjnych i nacisków przedwyborczych uciszanie opozycyjnych mediów oraz aresztowania ważnych członków partii opozycyjnych. Oczywiście kryzysy rządowe i polityczne, brak współpracy między koalicją rządzącą a opozycją to rzecz normalna w każdym państwie i nie powinniśmy się temu dziwić czy się do tego wtrącać, bo to wewnętrzna sprawa Gruzinów. Jednakże aresztowanie przywódców opozycji, rajdy policji na siedzibę partii czy aresztowanie osób wspierających opozycyjne media daleko wykraczają poza demokratyczne normy i naszym obowiązkiem jako partnerów i przyjaciół Gruzji jest głośne ostrzeżenie przed zmierzaniem w tym kierunku.
Debate: The current political situation in Georgia
Date: TUESDAY, 9 MARCH 2021
Speaker: Riho Terras
Political group: PPE
Country: Italy
Language: EN

Mr President, Vice-President of the Commission let me join the ranks of the colleagues who have voiced their concern about what is taking place in Georgia. We, the European Union, cannot tolerate the raiding of the office of the main opposition party and the imprisonment of its chairman. How can we expect the opposition to negotiate if one of the negotiating parties has been put behind bars?  Finally, the EU must have stronger leverage over Bidzina Ivanishvili, who is acting as a puppeteer. He’s not leading from behind. He’s leading from behind the curtains.
Debate: The current political situation in Georgia
Date: TUESDAY, 9 MARCH 2021
Speaker: Rasa Juknevičienė
Political group: PPE
Country: Germany
Language: EN

Mr President, today I have more questions about Georgia than answers. Until now, it was clear that Georgia was the leader of reforms in the Eastern Partnership region. But today, our close partner has gotten into a political responsibility crisis.  I have always had doubts about the commitment of the de facto leader of the ruling Georgian Dream party to pursue Euro-Atlantic integration. But today, I do not see anybody on either side of the political spectrum willing and ready to take responsibility for the future of the country. Charles Michel offered a helping hand from the EU. If nobody in Georgia accepts it, our common failure will be celebrated by one country only, the one that already holds the occupied Georgian territories. Dear friends in Georgia, nobody from outside can be more Georgian than Georgians themselves. I wish you courage to take political responsibility for a European democratic
Debate: The current political situation in Georgia
Date: TUESDAY, 9 MARCH 2021
Speaker: Paulo Rangel
Political group: PPE
Country: Germany
Language: EN

Mr President, dear High Representative, recent political developments in Georgia are extremely worrying, especially for a country which has privileged ties to the European Union. With my experience – that is quite reasonable within the Caucus region and even in some respect in the Western Balkans – I can say that the Georgian aspiration to join the European Union and even transatlantic engagement is very strong. And so we have to say very clearly: politically motivated arrests are unacceptable. This conduct is completely at odds with the values of freedom and democracy and a further polarisation is not the answer. It is time for the parties to adopt a constructive and solution—oriented approach to the current situation. Return to dialogue and find a way to focus on the reforms that matter, especially the rule of law, the judiciary and even electoral rules. I say to all Georgians: we don’t give up, we don’t forget you.
Debate: The current political situation in Georgia
Date: TUESDAY, 9 MARCH 2021
Speaker: Josep Borrell Fontelles
Language: EN

On 18 February, my spokesperson issued a statement on the day following the Tbilisi City Court’s decision of 17 February on the pre-trial detention of Mr Melia and the resignation of the Prime Minister, Mr Gakharia. In this statement, we urged both the authorities and the opposition in Georgia to act with restraint and responsibility to avoid further escalation, making a specific reference to the case of Mr Melia. So, I think this explanation is interesting and useful to explain how things were.  Then there is the whole debate about the situation in Georgia. All of you have been mentioning it. I can only explain, once again, our position and what we can expect in order to try to resolve this difficult situation. We are helping Georgia a lot. We are the largest donor in Georgia. We have allocated important support to Georgia to face the coronavirus pandemic. We hope that, with the mediation efforts launched by President Charles Michel, we will be more ready to help to resolve the issues involved in the search for a political agreement. We have been talking about it.  The main outstanding issues in the political stalemate are the issues of electoral reform, justice reform, perception of a politicised justice, power sharing in Parliament and – this is the most difficult issue – the question of early new elections or a possible plebiscite. All of these issues will have to be dealt with during the efforts that we are going to develop with the nomination of this mediator. I hope that this will be useful to resolve the political crisis in Georgia.
Debate: The current political situation in Georgia
Date: TUESDAY, 9 MARCH 2021
Speaker: Andrea Bocskor
Political group: NI
Country: Romania
Language: HU

Georgia nagyon fontos keleti partnerországa az EU-nak, de az Európai Unióhoz való csatlakozáshoz az országnak bizonyos feltételeket teljesítenie kell. Ez akkor érhető el, ha a kormányzó és ellenzéki pártoknak sikerül megállapodniuk és együttműködniük a reformok végrehajtása, a COVID-19 járvány megfékezése és a gazdaság stabilizálása érdekében. Fontos, hogy az EU segítse Georgia demokratikus törekvéseit, európai integrációját, de ez csak akkor valósulhat meg, ha ebben Georgia is partner. Egy évvel ezelőtt a georgiai pártok példát mutattak, sikerült egy olyan megállapodást kötniük, amely a georgiai nép és az ország érdekeit szolgálta, remélem, ez ezúttal is sikerülni fog.
Debate: The Syrian conflict –  years after the uprising
Date: TUESDAY, 9 MARCH 2021
Speaker: Marcel Kolaja
Country: Germany
Language: EN

The next item is the debate on the statement by the Vice—President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on the Syrian conflict – 10 years after the uprising ( I would like to remind Members that for all debates during this part—session there will be no catch—the—eye procedure and no blue cards will be accepted. Furthermore, as has been the case during recent part—sessions, debates will include remote speeches from Parliament’s liaison offices in the Member States.
Debate: The Syrian conflict –  years after the uprising
Date: TUESDAY, 9 MARCH 2021
Speaker: Lukas Mandl
Political group: PPE
Country: Portugal
Language: DE

Wenn wir über Migration und Flucht sprechen, dann sprechen wir sehr viel über die Auswirkungen an unseren Außengrenzen der Europäischen Union, innerhalb der Europäischen Union, aber wir sprechen noch immer zu wenig über die Fluchtursachen, über die Entwurzelung von Menschen dort, wo sie ihre Heimat haben. Und die geschieht durch den Krieg in Syrien seit zehn Jahren. Wenn wir über die Rolle der Europäischen Union sprechen, ja, dann müssen wir darüber sprechen, Hoher Außenbeauftragter, was Sie getan haben, dass wir als Europäische Union der größte Geldgeber sind. Mit 22 Milliarden Euro in diesen zehn Jahren Krieg hat die Europäische Union geholfen – auch im eigenen Interesse. Das ist kein bloßes Geschenk und die Europäische Union spielt damit eine bessere Rolle als etwa der Iran oder die Türkei oder Russland, die an diesem Krieg beteiligt sind. Aber wir müssen bei der Rolle der Europäischen Union auch die Frage stellen: Wie entwickelt Europa mehr Stärke nach außen? Und wir müssen diese Frage beantworten, und das können Sie, Hoher Außenbeauftragter, bei der Syrien-Konferenz in Brüssel am 30. März. Dazu fordere ich Sie auf!
Debate: The Syrian conflict –  years after the uprising
Date: TUESDAY, 9 MARCH 2021
Speaker: Isabel Santos
Political group: S-D
Country: Hungary
Language: PT

Não podemos continuar a falar da miséria humanitária do campo de Al-Hol e outros, um solo fértil para a radicalização, sem assumirmos as responsabilidades que nos cabem.  É imperioso que os Estados—Membros procedam com rapidez ao repatriamento dos seus cidadãos, respondam à necessidade de proteção das crianças, e seria imperdoável permitirmos a perda de mais uma geração. É preciso que se continue a apoiar os refugiados e que não se permita o retorno até que condições de segurança e dignidade para tal estejam atingidas. Sim, não há outra solução para este conflito que não a negociação de uma nova Constituição dentro do processo de Genebra. Apoiamos o esforço das Nações Unidas e do seu enviado especial, mas é preciso lembrar que a paz exige a participação construtiva de todos e o prestar de contas pelos crimes cometidos nesta guerra, passo fundamental para a reconciliação.
Debate: The Syrian conflict –  years after the uprising
Date: TUESDAY, 9 MARCH 2021
Speaker: Nathalie Loiseau
Political group: Renew
Country: Poland
Language: FR

Que nous le voulions ou non, la tragédie syrienne est notre problème. Alors, qu’avons-nous fait? Au moins, n’avons-nous pas ajouté de la souffrance à la souffrance. Au moins à la différence de la Russie, de l’Iran, de la Turquie, ne sommes-nous pas allés assouvir en Syrie notre soif de puissance au mépris du droit international. Au moins, lorsque la coalition internationale combat Daesh, le fait-elle avec un mandat de l’ONU. Au moins, essayons nous d’alléger les souffrances du peuple syrien en accueillant des millions de réfugiés et en prenant toute notre part, la première, dans l’aide humanitaire aux populations martyrisées. Mais nous devons faire, plus parce que les Syriens regardent vers nous, espèrent en nous. Nous devons lutter pied à pied contre l’impunité des crimes de guerre et des crimes contre l’humanité perpétrés en Syrie. Certains pays, la France, l’Allemagne, les Pays-Bas ont commencé à le faire et je voudrais saluer leur action. Mais je voudrais vous demander plus, Monsieur le Haut représentant. Je voudrais vous demander de porter auprès de la Commission la promesse d’un engagement beaucoup plus fort, beaucoup plus unanime de toute l’Europe pour que les criminels qui ont parfois trouvé refuge soient poursuivis, pour que nos justices travaillent encore mieux ensemble, pour venir en aide aux victimes et aux activistes syriens qui se battent pour le droit. En Syrie, il n’y aura pas de paix sans justice. Il n’y aura pas de retour des réfugiés syriens dans leur patrie sans retour du droit dans leur pays. Alors agissons pour eux et agissons pour nos valeurs.
Debate: The Syrian conflict -  years after the uprising
Date: TUESDAY, 9 MARCH 2021
Speaker: Katrin Langensiepen
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: Poland
Language: EN

There is no democracy in Syria. There is still suicide recruitment, arbitrary arrests, and disappearances. We urge that all who are detained be released immediately. We demand that all our missing and disappeared are searched for and identified, and that all these cases are investigated. Many actors see the country as a playground for their own interests. It’s not a civil war. It is a proxy war and the victims are Syrian civil society. We must put Syria on our political agenda to give hope to those who are counting on the European Union.  There’s a small glimmer of hope. The al-Gharib trial in Koblenz, Germany, was an important trial in our Union to judge two Syrian intelligence officers. We call on the Commission to design an accountability strategy to support Member States and non-EU countries in applying the principle of universal jurisdiction to further end it in the domestic legal systems, Mr Borrell. I attended that trial. It was dramatic what the victims told us. We must show the world that mass crimes do not go unpunished.