unimelb-nlp/MultiEup-v2 huggingface dataset:
Debate: EU-Taiwan political relations and cooperation
Date: TUESDAY, 19 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Andrey Kovatchev
Political group: PPE
Country: Poland
Language: EN

Mr President, as the Commissioner knows very well, this House has many times requested that we should start with the preparation of the EU—Taiwan bilateral investment agreement. We want to see concrete steps from the Commission, but also from the Council, especially the scoping exercise and the impact assessment, in preparation for the formal launch of the negotiations.  Taiwan is a close partner of the EU. We share core values such as democracy, freedom and the rule of law. Developing closer investment links would not only create economic benefits for both sides, but also allow us to strengthen strategic cooperation in critical sectors like semiconductors.  For more than a year, we have been discussing how to reshape and reconfigure our supply chain for the post—COVID era. When we do this, I think it’s very important to consider factors such as democracy, trust and the consequences if we pursue closer cooperation and alliance with like—minded countries like Taiwan. It’s very strange that the Member States expressed solidarity with Lithuania, but some of them are very hesitant to give the mandate to you, Madam Commissioner, to the Commission, to start even the scoping exercise and impact assessment.  What we are afraid of?  I understand that some countries are afraid of reactions from mainland China, but this is something that is against our autonomy, and we always think that we should be autonomous as a European Union.
Debate: EU-Taiwan political relations and cooperation
Date: TUESDAY, 19 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Isabel Santos
Political group: S-D
Country: Hungary
Language: PT

Senhor Presidente, o reforço das relações políticas e da cooperação entre a União Europeia e Taiwan é da máxima importância.  Para lá do exemplo do Tibete, de Hong Kong e de Macau, assistimos recentemente a mais demonstrações da prepotência do Governo chinês, com as recentes incursões de aviões militares chineses no espaço aéreo taiwanês.  Mais do que uma intimidação, esta é uma tremenda provocação, uma clara violação da zona de identificação da defesa aérea de Taiwan. A quase duplicação do número de incursões na zona de defesa aérea no espaço de um ano e a cada vez maior presença militar no mar do sul da China evidenciam a crescente agressividade de Pequim.  Não podemos tolerar este tipo de ações sobre um território que connosco partilha os valores do respeito pela democracia, direitos humanos, liberdades fundamentais e Estado de Direito.  Devemos ser claros, se queremos ter um papel na manutenção da estabilidade e da paz no Indo-Pacífico. Taiwan é um parceiro fundamental para uma ordem baseada em regras na região. As ações disruptivas e provocatórias por parte da China não podem ficar sem resposta.
Debate: EU-Taiwan political relations and cooperation
Date: TUESDAY, 19 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Dita Charanzová
Political group: Renew
Country: France
Language: EN

Mr President, it has now been six years since we pledged to end the ‘trade for all’ strategy, to reach an agreement with Taiwan. Six years, and we are still not there. We concluded an agreement with China, yet Taiwan is still waiting. And this is not right. We need to have a bilateral investment agreement. There is no single reason not to have this. China shouldn’t be used as an excuse to prevent us from pursuing our own interests in the region. Taiwan shares the same values as us. Our business leaders are overwhelmingly in favour of this, and as is clearer today than ever, this House is calling for a deal. For a deal now.
Debate: EU-Taiwan political relations and cooperation
Date: TUESDAY, 19 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Jörg Meuthen
Political group: ID
Country: Spain
Language: DE

Herr Präsident, Frau Kommissarin, werte Kollegen! Der ungezügelte wirtschaftliche und militärische Expansionsdrang Chinas ist gegenwärtig ohne jeden Zweifel eine der größten Bedrohungen unserer westlichen Wertegemeinschaft. Daher ist es ausdrücklich zu begrüßen, dass wir heute über die Intensivierung der Beziehungen zwischen der EU und Taiwan sprechen. Sowohl die EU-Mitgliedstaaten als auch insbesondere Taiwan leiden unter dem globalen Machtstreben des totalitären Regimes in Peking. Hier in Europa führt die Volksrepublik China ganze Nationen gezielt in die wirtschaftliche und technologische Abhängigkeit und nutzt diese dann mit aller Härte aus, um politischen Druck auszuüben. Taiwan sieht sich derweil immer unverhohlener werdenden militärischen Aggressionen durch Peking ausgesetzt. Die Frage nach einer möglichen Wiedervereinigung beider Staaten ist gewiss nicht von uns Europäern zu beantworten, aber ganz sicher noch viel weniger mit militärischer Gewalt. Wir sind überzeugt vom Selbstbestimmungsrecht Taiwans, und wir haben ein starkes Interesse an Frieden und Stabilität im Fernen Osten. Wir dürfen nicht achselzuckend hinnehmen, wenn China dies gefährdet. Nein, die Volksrepublik China ist kein fairer Partner, nicht wirtschaftlich – Chinas wenig zimperlicher und nicht den Regeln eines fairen Wettbewerbs entsprechender Aufstieg in den vergangenen Jahrzehnten hat insbesondere bei uns in Deutschland schon viele tausend Arbeitsplätze gekostet – und schon gar nicht politisch. Taiwan dagegen schon. Es ist deshalb gut und richtig, wenn wir unsere Handelsbeziehungen zu diesem Land der Hochtechnologie weiter ausbauen. Als Handelspartner und als Bastion der Freiheit und Demokratie verdient es unsere aufrichtige Unterstützung.
Debate: EU-Taiwan political relations and cooperation
Date: TUESDAY, 19 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Witold Jan Waszczykowski
Political group: ECR
Country: Romania
Language: EN

Mr President, I would like to thank Mr Weimers for his report, a good job, Charlie. The European Union needs to search for friends worldwide. A prime candidate for our friendship is democratic Taiwan. Let me repeat Taiwan, not Texas. Taiwan, which is already an important economic partner, manufacturer of leading technology, Taiwan is a reliable partner in a time of pandemic. It is not China. Taiwan is our guide in how to deal with China. First, as a country warning about COVID, we should continue this cooperation. It is giving direction on how to deal with China policy and the Far East. It is helping us to fight China’s disinformation.  What can we do for our friends in Taiwan? We have to recognise them by giving them more and more access to international institutions, first and foremost to European institutions.
Debate: EU-Taiwan political relations and cooperation
Date: TUESDAY, 19 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Jörgen Warborn
Political group: PPE
Country: Slovakia
Language: SV

Herr talman! Fru kommissionär! Taiwan är Asiens stora demokratiförkämpe. Ett land som nu är under allvarligt politiskt och militärt hot av den kommunistiska enpartistaten Kina.  Kinas senaste maktlystenhet och förtryck i Hongkong har skapat en alltför påtaglig oro i Taiwan över att de kan komma att stå på tur. Västvärlden måste visa sitt starka stöd för det taiwanesiska folket och dess demokrati. Därför krävs en tydlig politisk signal från EU om att våra demokratier inte accepterar Kinas politik.  Taiwan utgör en öppen och internationell handelsplats, med stor betydelse för världshandeln. Taiwan är också en given destination för innovationskraftiga europeiska företag som önskar ta sig närmare Asiens många tillväxtmarknader. Därför måste EU accelerera arbetet med ett bilateralt investeringsavtal. Ett avtal kommer bidra till att stärka den ekonomiska tillväxten, öka den globala konkurrenskraften och säkra ett starkt, robust investeringslandskap för europeiska företag.
Debate: EU-Taiwan political relations and cooperation
Date: TUESDAY, 19 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Evin Incir
Political group: S-D
Country: Hungary
Language: EN

Mr President, democracy, human rights and the rule of law are core values of the European Union. Agreements and cooperation are primarily done with the like—minded, or at least with those with the same goals and intentions.  Taiwan is a role model in its region. Through deeper cooperation, we will acknowledge the leadership for fundamental rights it takes, including social, economic, political and cultural rights, but also LGBTI rights and the rights of the indigenous population. While we see improvements in Taiwan, we see the total opposite in China. The Chinese oppressive communist regime does not fear to take measures against anyone, in China and beyond.  A few months ago, I received a threatening letter from the Chinese Embassy in Sweden, stating, ‘We express strong discontent and firm opposition to your support to the so—called ‘EU—Taiwan political relations and cooperation report’. We hope that you withdraw your support immediately and do not pursue this course of action. Otherwise, you shall be held responsible for all consequences’. My conviction is clear. I will proudly vote in favour of the report today in defence of democracy and freedom, regardless of the threats of consequences by the oppressive communist regime.
Debate: EU-Taiwan political relations and cooperation
Date: TUESDAY, 19 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Svenja Hahn
Political group: Renew
Country: Finland
Language: DE

Herr Präsident! Kommissionspräsidentin von der Leyen wird nicht müde zu betonen, dass sie eine geopolitische Kommission führen will.  Das Parlament hat mehrmals gefordert, die Vorbereitungen für ein Investitionsabkommen mit Taiwan zu treffen. Was ist passiert? Nichts. Im Gegenteil: Für ein Taiwan-Abkommen macht die Kommission sogar eines mit China zur Bedingung. Dabei liegt das umfassende Investitionsabkommen CAI zu Recht auf Eis: inhaltlich zu schwach, und Chinas gravierende Menschenrechtsverletzungen und Sanktionen gegen Abgeordnete sind inakzeptabel. Die demokratische und rechtsstaatliche Entwicklung in Taiwan ist der Gegenentwurf zum autoritären Herrschaftssystem der Volksrepublik China. Eine geopolitische Kommission muss doch gerade die Zusammenarbeit von Demokratien vorantreiben, und das bedeutet auch engere zivilgesellschaftliche, wissenschaftliche und wirtschaftliche Beziehungen mit Taiwan.
Debate: EU-Taiwan political relations and cooperation
Date: TUESDAY, 19 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Marco Dreosto
Political group: ID
Country: Bulgaria
Language: IT

Signor Presidente, signora Commissaria Vestager, onorevoli colleghi, venti di guerra stanno soffiando sui mari cinesi, ormai è evidente. La Cina ha alzato il tiro, purtroppo non solo metaforicamente, e ora sta puntando diritta a Taiwan. Mentre noi in Europa ci perdiamo in molte chiacchiere, gli Stati Uniti, che ricordo essere il nostro principale alleato, pensano in maniera molto concreta e soprattutto agiscono per difendere la supremazia, loro e di tutto l'Occidente, per il contenimento della Cina nell'Indo-Pacifico. Noi tutti, assieme ai nostri partner transatlantici, dobbiamo avere un obiettivo comune: evitare che la Cina diventi una potenza oceanica attraverso la conquista di Taiwan. Chi controlla i mari controlla il mondo, questo si dice spesso. Ecco perché il ruolo nell'isola è strategico e fondamentale per evitare che un paese non democratico e soprattutto gestito dal più grande partito comunista al mondo possa prevalere in campo geopolitico ed economico. E allora, gentile Commissaria, onorevoli colleghi, questa volta non possiamo girarci dall'altra parte. Questa volta l'Europa deve gridare con forza: noi stiamo dalla parte di Taiwan.
Debate: EU-Taiwan political relations and cooperation
Date: TUESDAY, 19 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Alexandr Vondra
Political group: ECR
Country: Ireland
Language: CS

Pane předsedající, dámy a pánové, já bych na úvod především chtěl poděkovat našemu kolegovi Charliemu Weimersovi, protože připravil zprávu, za kterou se opravdu tentokrát nemusíme stydět. Tchaj-wan nám už mnohokrát ukázal cestu. Naposledy během koronavirové krize a myslím, že může znovu. Všichni víme, s jakými problémy se poslední dobou potýkáme na trhu s polovodiči. Automobilový průmysl je prakticky v troskách. Jsem hluboce přesvědčen, že je pro nás mnohem výhodnější navazovat a prohlubovat průmyslovou, hospodářskou i vědecko-technickou spolupráci s demokraticky smýšlejícím partnerem, než být závislý na zdrojích z autoritářských zemí. Ukažme, že jsme hrdými partnery obyvatelů Tchaj-wanu a nedopusťme, aby jej kontinentální Čína zničila, stejně jako to udělala s Hongkongem. Čínská agrese podkopává stabilitu a mír nejen v regionu jihovýchodní Asie, ale v celém světě a my s tím musíme něco dělat. A Tchaj-wan je správná odpověď.
Debate: EU-Taiwan political relations and cooperation
Date: TUESDAY, 19 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Miriam Lexmann
Political group: PPE
Country: Spain
Language: EN

Mr President, let me begin by thanking colleagues across this House on working together to produce a report that sends a strong message to support our Taiwanese friends. Taiwan is a democratic ally facing unprecedented pressure from the totalitarian Chinese Communist Party. As a result, Taiwan’s democracy, economic achievements and regional and perhaps global security are all at stake. We must stand with Taiwan, but we must also develop and strengthen our relations. First, in a world where totalitarian regimes are becoming increasingly assertive, defending democracy is no longer enough. We must take democracy on the offensive. Where there remains instinctive desire for freedom and self-determination is suffering. And secondly we must strengthen our economic cooperation. Today, Taiwan is an important investor in many of our countries, and there is huge potential for cooperation in areas such as manufacturing of semiconductors or the development of 5G networks. It is high time to start negotiating an EU—Taiwan bilateral investment agreement.
Debate: EU-Taiwan political relations and cooperation
Date: TUESDAY, 19 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Marie-Pierre Vedrenne
Political group: Renew
Country: Denmark
Language: FR

Monsieur le Président, Madame la Commissaire, renforcé par la crise pandémique, notre objectif commun est de construire notre autonomie stratégique. Concrètement, cela signifie que nous devons décider par nous-mêmes avec qui nous voulons discuter et comment nous voulons approfondir nos relations économiques avec nos partenaires. Depuis six ans, les demandes incessantes de notre Parlement pour lancer des négociations pour un accord bilatéral d’investissement avec Taïwan restent lettre morte. Taïwan partage pourtant nos valeurs: défense de la démocratie, lutte contre le changement climatique, standards sociaux élevés, protection des libertés fondamentales. À l’heure des tensions dans la région indo-pacifique, renforcer nos relations avec des partenaires partageant les mêmes idées ne semble plus une option. Et ne soyons pas naïfs. Nous connaissons toutes les pressions exercées par la Chine, mais ce n’est pas à la Chine de dicter notre propre agenda commercial. Soyons forts et déterminés dans la construction d’alliances fondées sur des valeurs et des objectifs communs. Mais cela nécessitera également de muscler notre arsenal commercial pour répondre à toutes les possibles représailles.
Debate: EU-Taiwan political relations and cooperation
Date: TUESDAY, 19 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Peter Kofod
Political group: ID
Country: Poland
Language: DA

Hr. formand! Jeg vil gerne starte med at sige stor tak til Charlie Weimers fra ECR-Gruppen for det flotte arbejde, som han i dag har præsenteret os for, og som vi diskuterer her i dag. Det er en utrolig vigtig sag. Taiwan er en ven. Det er et demokrati, og det er nogle, vi deler værdier med på et helt grundlæggende plan. For nylig havde jeg fornøjelsen af at besøge Taiwan. Det var en utroligt mærkværdig oplevelse på den ene side at besøge et så venligsindet – og jeg tillader mig at sige land, der ønskede så meget godt for verden og samtidig var så utrolig truet af Kommunistkina lige på den anden side af vandet. Vi skal aldrig være i tvivl om – og de skal aldrig være i tvivl om – at det er vores venner, og det skal det være for enhver pris. Kinas aggressioner både over for Taiwan, men også over for Hongkong, som man jo politisk er ved at sætte fuldstændig i knæ, eller Tibet, som man har undertvunget for mange år siden, er fuldstændig uacceptable. Det skal vi sige meget klart fra overfor. Det er ikke bare noget, vi skal gøre i Europa. Det skal vi gøre sammen med nogle af vores bedste venner, nemlig amerikanerne. Vi skal stå sammen i den vestlige civilisation og forsvare vores venner, uanset hvor de måtte være i verden, uanset hvem der truer dem ude i verden.
Debate: EU-Taiwan political relations and cooperation
Date: TUESDAY, 19 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Bert-Jan Ruissen
Political group: ECR
Country: France
Language: NL

Voorzitter, commissaris, een mijlpaal: zo zou ik het voorliggende verslag van collega Weimers willen noemen. Want het is voor het eerst in haar geschiedenis dat de Europese Unie een verslag aanneemt over de relaties tussen de EU en Taiwan. Als democratische rechtsstaat met respect voor de mensenrechten, als belangrijke handelspartner in een strategische, belangrijke regio en met een innovatieve samenleving, is Taiwan een lichtend voorbeeld voor de regio. Maar steeds is daar de intimiderende en provocerende lange arm van Peking, die de vrede en stabiliteit in de regio bedreigt.  Het voorliggende verslag van collega Weimers is broodnodig. Taiwan verdient internationale steun. Dat betekent dat we werk moeten maken van een bilateraal investeringsakkoord. Tevens moet de EU actiever bepleiten dat Taiwan wordt toegelaten als waarnemer bij internationale organisaties zoals de Wereldhandelsorganisatie en de Wereldgezondheidsorganisatie, en dat vooral ook in het belang van de Taiwanese bevolking zelf.
Debate: EU-Taiwan political relations and cooperation
Date: TUESDAY, 19 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Isabel Wiseler-Lima
Political group: PPE
Country: Czechia
Language: FR

Monsieur le Président, Madame la Commissaire, si l’Union européenne prend au sérieux son objectif d’être un véritable acteur sur l’échiquier géopolitique, elle doit partout dans le monde donner la priorité à la démocratie et donner son appui à ceux qui la défendent. Taïwan est un État démocratique qui se trouve menacé. Les manœuvres militaires chinoises destinées à intimider et faire pression sur Taïwan doivent être considérées comme inacceptables, tout comme les campagnes de désinformation dont Taïwan est la victime. Il nous faut entretenir et développer nos relations de partenariat avec Taïwan. Et, sans atermoiements, non seulement avoir des relations bilatérales avec Taïwan, notamment en intensifiant nos relations économiques, mais aussi défendre Taïwan sur la scène internationale. Il est inconcevable qu’alors même que la pandémie de la COVID sévissait sans possibilité de protection vaccinale, Taïwan n’ait pas eu la possibilité de participer aux réunions de l’OMS. Nous devons peser de tout notre poids pour que Taïwan ait un réel statut au niveau international. Il faut en effet être conscient des difficultés que la situation présente implique. Aujourd’hui, en raison de son statut, Taïwan a d’énormes soucis à commander des vaccins. Au début de la pandémie, Taïwan a envoyé dans l’Union européenne huit millions de masques. À nous aujourd’hui de nous montrer solidaires en veillant à ce que les Taïwanais aient accès au vaccin.
Debate: EU-Taiwan political relations and cooperation
Date: TUESDAY, 19 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Georgios Kyrtsos
Political group: PPE
Country: Germany
Language: EL

Κύριε Πρόεδρε, πρέπει να στηρίξουμε την αναβάθμιση της πολιτικής συνεργασίας και την εμβάθυνση της οικονομικής συνεργασίας με την Ταϊβάν για τρεις λόγους κατά την άποψή μου: πρώτον, η Ταϊβάν έχει μια εξαιρετικά δυναμική οικονομία και έχει αποδειχθεί απόλυτα αξιόπιστος συνεργάτης της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης· δεύτερον, η οικονομία της έχει ποιοτικά χαρακτηριστικά στην έρευνα, την καινοτομία και την ψηφιακή μετάβαση που μας δείχνουν πού πρέπει να εστιάσουμε τη συνεργασία μας για να καλύψουμε και δικές μας ελλείψεις· τρίτον, με τη δημοκρατία και το κράτος δικαίου η Ταϊβάν στέλνει τα σωστά μηνύματα σε μια περιοχή μεγάλης στρατηγικής σημασίας, όπου αμφισβητείται από ορισμένους το δημοκρατικό μοντέλο πολιτικής οργάνωσης.  Η πρωτοβουλία μας, εννοείται, δεν είναι ευρωνατοϊκή ούτε ευρωαμερικανική. Βασίζεται στην ευρωπαϊκή στρατηγική αυτονομία και σε ευρωπαϊκούς υπολογισμούς. Για αυτό, κατά την γνώμη μου, έχει ξεχωριστή σημασία.
Debate: EU-Taiwan political relations and cooperation
Date: TUESDAY, 19 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Peter van Dalen
Political group: PPE
Country: Italy
Language: NL

Voorzitter, hartelijk dank aan collega Weimers voor zijn historische verslag. En met hem ben ik het volledig eens dat de Europese Unie en Taiwan de gemeenschappelijke waarden van vrijheid, democratie en mensenrechten delen.  Laten we daarom vooral de bedoelingen van communistisch China niet onderschatten. China wil wereldleider worden en het inlijven van Taiwan lijkt een van de eerste doelen te zijn. Vergeet niet dat de Chinese president Xi een dictator is, en dictators zijn doorgaans onvriendelijk en tonen vaak een harde hand. Dat zien we de afgelopen maanden met de enorme agressie zowel in de lucht als over zee.  Of president Xi uiteindelijk doorzet en Taiwan zal innemen met geweld, dat weten we niet. We hopen natuurlijk van niet. Maar voor ons, laten wij als Europese Unie alles op alles zetten om de banden met Taiwan optimaal en maximaal te houden, ook met een handelsakkoord. Wij moeten altijd en overal onze solidariteit met Taiwan betonen.
Debate: EU-Taiwan political relations and cooperation
Date: TUESDAY, 19 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Ivan Štefanec
Political group: PPE
Country: Netherlands
Language: EN

Mr President, there are many lessons to be learned from a pandemic, but I do believe that the most important one is that democracies should stand together. During the pandemic, Taiwan sent much-needed masks to the European Union and to other countries. And for us, Taiwan is our inspiration in many fields.  For example, as we know Taiwan represents 50% of the world’s semiconductor production. I do believe that our economic cooperation and newly prepared Bilateral Investment Agreement (BIA) is a natural strengthening of cooperation at the economic level between communities with equal values and belief in democracy and justice.  I do believe that Taiwan is an inspiration also in the fight against the pandemic and deserves full membership of the World Health Organization (WHO). We cannot be blind to China’s escalating provocations against the Taiwanese people, and we have to say a clear ‘no’ to these provocations and a clear ‘yes’ to cooperation between our democracies. I am convinced that the cooperation between EU and Taiwan will enrich each other and bring benefits to both parties. Democracies should stand together.
Debate: EU-Taiwan political relations and cooperation
Date: TUESDAY, 19 OCTOBER 2021
Speaker: Andrius Kubilius
Political group: PPE
Country: France
Language: EN

Mr President, since we are coming to the end of our discussions I will make a few conclusions and messages from our debate and from the report. The first one: There is strong cross-party support in this House for this unique report, which means that everybody is for more intensive relations between the EU and Taiwan. This is a message not only to China but also to EU institutions: Taiwan is no less an important partner than China. Taiwan is a striving democracy of Chinese people and it is a good example of democracy for mainland Chinese people. One more message: The formula ‘One country, two systems’ means that at some time in the future both sides can unite themselves under the democracy umbrella. And the last message: China should abandon its attempts to threaten democracy and independence of Taiwan or its attempts to threaten Lithuania for our support to Taiwan. I want to thank Parliament and the Weimers report for the language of support to us, and would like to remind the Chinese authorities that thirty years ago the big Soviet empire collapsed when it tried to fight against the democracy and independence of small Lithuania.