unimelb-nlp/MultiEup-v2 huggingface dataset:
Debate: EU relations with Iraq
Date: TUESDAY, 18 APRIL 2023
Speaker: Abir Al-Sahlani
Political group: Renew
Country: Sweden
Language: EN

( I greet your banks from afar. Oh, you, the river of Tigris. The river of richness and gardens.  This is a poem by the great Iraqi poet al-Jawahiri, who wrote it an exile – a fate that he shared with many oppositional Iraqis during the Saddam oppression, where they were not able to operate in the country because there was a great risk for their lives, not only their lives, but also their relatives and loved ones.  You cannot talk about Iraq without also mentioning Saddam, because what we are seeing in Iraq today is the prolongation of the results of the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein.  It is unfortunate that, time after time, the European Union has not been choosing actively to stand by the Iraqi people. As was mentioned a moment ago, we didn’t even have a resolution on Iraq back in the October uprising in 2019. And this showcases a historical relation that has not been functioning.  Iraq is a halting democracy, but still it is a democracy. There are periodical elections, even though the turn up to the elections is getting lower and lower. There is a constitution that is written by an elected parliament where you had a referendum and that’s unique for the region and the Middle East.  But Iraq also needs support, not least when it comes to anti-corruption and poverty, fighting against poverty, and reforming the Constitution and strengthening the social protection and social programmes for those most vulnerable.  And we need to fulfil our commitment, when we promised the Iraqi Government to pay for the cost of the evacuation of Iraqi refugees caught between Belarus and Poland, and we have to fulfil that promise.  But maybe, above all, Iraq needs to be treated as an equal partner and a neighbour. And I do hope that the Commission will be able to fulfil  that commitment and award of recognition of the efforts made by the prime minister of Iraq, al-Sudani, for his work to create a better and more transparent system in Iraq.
Debate: EU relations with Iraq
Date: TUESDAY, 18 APRIL 2023
Speaker: Hannah Neumann
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: Sweden
Language: EN

Here we are 20 years after the start of a US-led invasion that paved the way for war crimes, the torture and humiliation of Iraqi prisoners, and a brutal civil war.  Here we are 10 years after the withdrawal of the US troops, which led to the rise of the Islamic State and unbelievable brutality.  And more than 3 years after young Iraqis took to the streets with slogans like ‘We are all Iraqis’, while hundreds of them have been killed by Iraqi security forces and Iran-backed militias.  And once more, impunity prevails.  Yet, how is the country supposed to heal if such crimes go unpunished, when all these stories of suffering are never told or heard?  So, since the protest movements emerged in autumn 2019, I have visited Iraq several times, listening to women activists in Baghdad, Yazidis families in Dohuk, musicians in Mosul, or human rights activists in Erbil, and many are indeed disappointed and angry that such a peaceful movement calling for reform was brutally crushed by the authorities.  But the spirit of the movement lives on with young people striving for a new Iraq that overcomes religious and ethnic divisions and fights the notorious corruption, depriving a whole generation of its resources and future. And the EU should put a much stronger emphasis on supporting these civil society actors, especially the young generation in Iraq, by supporting their training, giving them new opportunities to build a better homeland and to address the challenges the climate crisis poses on their country.  Last year, I was involved in the organisation of the Mosul Music Festival that was partly funded by the EU and UNESCO in the city. Mosul is the former capital of ISIS, and there we saw women and men playing traditional Iraqi music together with bands from Europe. And there is maybe no better way to chase away the ghosts of terrorism, war and destruction than music, dance and exchange.
Debate: EU relations with Iraq
Date: TUESDAY, 18 APRIL 2023
Speaker: Adam Bielan
Political group: ECR
Country: France
Language: EN

It is important to acknowledge Iraq's efforts to foster regional dialogue and promote democracy, fundamental freedoms and human rights. As important trade partners, the EU and Iraq should work together to strengthen bilateral trade relations and investments, including the production of renewable energy, and facilitate Iraq's further integration into regional and global value chains. We should also welcome Iraq's ambition to become a gas exporter and support its efforts to invest in this field. I believe our relations are a powerful driver for Iraq's prosperity and that we share common approaches on many geopolitical issues, such as the fight against terrorism.  Looking ahead, I am optimistic about the future of our cooperation. We must remain committed to working closely together to achieve our shared goals and promote a more prosperous and stable future for Iraq and the region.
Debate: EU relations with Iraq
Date: TUESDAY, 18 APRIL 2023
Speaker: Marco Campomenosi
Political group: ID
Country: Portugal
Language: IT

Sono tante le immagini che non dimenticherò mai più nella mia vita. Un popolo che esce da quarant'anni di guerre. Responsabilità importanti anche di noi occidentali. Influenze esterne come quelle della Turchia e dell'Iran che determinano effetti molto negativi e problematici. Una questione curda ancora da risolvere. Sono solo alcuni dei temi che rendono l'idea della complessità di una realtà di cui ci dobbiamo occupare. Partiti politici che hanno le milizie militari, milizie che diventano partito politico. Un settarismo politico e religioso che somiglia tanto a quello che ha distrutto il Libano. Uomini e donne occidentali, uomini, nostri militari che addestrano e formano gli iracheni e spesso fanno anche un sacrificio in questo senso e minoranze che vanno tutelate maggiormente, anche magari con il nostro interesse. Proprio in queste ore la comunità yazida festeggia l'inizio del nuovo anno. Ho visitato i loro templi, i templi che sono tornati a vivere. Il popolo yazida ha subito un genocidio, che il Parlamento tedesco al Bundestag ha riconosciuto e che mi piacerebbe che un giorno potessimo riconoscere anche qua. Ho visitato anche le chiese cristiane che si sono ripopolate. Queste comunità, insieme ai curdi, insieme agli iracheni, hanno lottato e ci hanno aiutato a liberarci dall'Isis. Insomma, tutti dobbiamo qualcosa a loro. Ed è proprio grazie a loro che l'Isis oggi è un fenomeno residuale, quasi del tutto sconfitto. Ecco, la fragilità di questo popolo, il suo futuro, il futuro dell'Iraq e del Kurdistan ci riguardano e dobbiamo occuparcene maggiormente. Quindi, sottolineo quanto ha detto il Commissario e condivido assolutamente tutto.
Debate: EU relations with Iraq
Date: TUESDAY, 18 APRIL 2023
Speaker: Željana Zovko
Political group: PPE
Language: EN

Madam President, Commissioner, the European Union and Iraq have a long-standing partnership that has helped promote stability and security in the region. The European Union has been one of the largest donors to Iraq, providing significant financial and technical assistance worth over EUR 1 billion since 2003. This aid has been instrumental in supporting Iraq, in addressing the complex challenges it faces, including security threats, economic recovery and the ongoing humanitarian crisis. This includes the European Union Advisory Mission, which still plays a key role in assisting the Iraqi authorities in implementing the civilian security sector reform. I welcome the recent third meeting of the Cooperation Council of the European Union and Iraq, which reaffirmed our commitment to support Iraq’s efforts towards political reform and economic rehabilitation. Iraq now stands at a political and economic crossroads. We are ready to deepen our cooperation and to work with Iraq on ensuring peace, stability and the development of the country.
Debate: EU relations with Iraq
Date: TUESDAY, 18 APRIL 2023
Speaker: Evin Incir
Political group: S-D
Country: Hungary
Language: EN

Madam President, colleagues, peace, security, stability, prosperity, human rights, equality and unity in Iraq are vital objectives. The people in the country have suffered for long, previously by a dictator and currently by division. We should also have in mind that the danger posed by ISIS has not totally vanished. A positive development in Iraq is crucial for the people in the country to at last be able to enjoy a decent life beyond war and conflicts. It is also important for peace and stability in the region at large, as well as in the interest of the European Union. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, 3 million people – among them, 1.3 million children – affected by the protracted conflict continued to need humanitarian assistance and 1.2 million were internally displaced in December 2022. The support by the international community is imperative. We need to support those in need with humanitarian aid, but also backing the country with development support to build democratic, functioning and resilient institutions. Fighting corruption and respect for democratic principles are a must for a country that serves the need of the people. For an Iraq that stands up for all its population, the Iraqi constitution – that clearly emphasises the right of minorities – must be respected. The KRG, the Kurdistan Regional Government, should be ensured support by the Iraqi central government as well as the European Union. It should also be defended by attacks from the neighbouring countries as Turkey and Iran. The Kurds in different parts of Kurdistan, including the Iraqi part, have led the struggle against ISIS. They sacrificed their lives also for our freedom here in the European Union. To forget that would be one of today’s greatest sins against humanity, because ISIS was and is one of the biggest threats.
Debate: EU relations with Iraq
Date: TUESDAY, 18 APRIL 2023
Speaker: François Alfonsi
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: France
Language: FR

Madame la Présidente, la tenue des récentes réunions du Conseil de coopération entre l’Union européenne et l’Iraq, après un arrêt de sept années, est une bonne nouvelle. Elle marque le retour progressif à la normale de la situation en Iraq après la période terrible de la lutte contre Daech.  Votre compte rendu de la dernière réunion montre que les relations avec les nouveaux dirigeants iraquiens sont désormais constructives. Dans votre communiqué, vous avez déclaré: «Nous condamnons les attaques contre l’intégrité de l’Iraq.» Mais vous n’avez pas nommé l’agresseur. Je vais le faire à votre place: il s’agit de l’armée turque, qui mène des attaques contre le territoire iraquien et en occupe une partie. Il faut même ajouter que ces agresseurs, selon des enquêtes indépendantes, ont usé d’armes chimiques sur le territoire iraquien.  Condamner les attaques ne suffit pas. Il faut aussi condamner les agresseurs. Derrière vos précautions, il y a une question fondamentale: la question kurde. De tous les États de la région, l’Iraq est le seul qui accorde au peuple kurde le bénéfice d’une autonomie de plein droit et de plein exercice. Je demande à l’Union européenne de soutenir nos partenaires iraquiens à cet égard et de les encourager à continuer leur politique envers la minorité kurde du pays.
Debate: EU relations with Iraq
Date: TUESDAY, 18 APRIL 2023
Speaker: Jean-Paul Garraud
Political group: ID
Country: Italy
Language: FR

Madame la Présidente, il y a tout juste vingt ans, les États-Unis décidaient d’envahir l’Iraq. Cette décision dramatique allait produire une réaction en chaîne dont le Moyen-Orient peine encore à panser les plaies. La France s’honorait en défiant le consensus atlantiste et prouvait que les États européens pouvaient avoir une influence dans le monde s’ils agissent de manière indépendante.  Depuis l’invasion américaine de 2003, l’Iraq a renoué avec un chaos qui ne l’avait déjà pas épargné au xxe siècle. Alors que la coalition occidentale avait promis d’installer la démocratie à Bagdad, c’est toujours le chaos qui règne dans le pays. Aujourd’hui, l’Iraq est défiguré par les conséquences de la guerre de l’État islamique. Beaucoup d’Iraquiens craignent que, demain, une nouvelle guerre vienne à nouveau détruire leur quotidien. Je pense aux chrétiens d’Orient, et notamment à ceux d’Iraq, qui vivent encore dans la peur d’une nouvelle éruption de violence. Coincés entre des milices communautaires et des cellules dormantes de l’État islamique, beaucoup font le choix de fuir le pays. L’Iraq ne s’est toujours pas relevé de l’invasion américaine – une leçon que nous devons retenir face à tous les discours belliqueux qui veulent nous pousser à la guerre.
Debate: EU relations with Iraq
Date: TUESDAY, 18 APRIL 2023
Speaker: François-Xavier Bellamy
Political group: PPE
Country: France
Language: FR

Madame la Présidente, nous parlons des relations entre l’Europe et l’Iraq, et il y aurait tant à dire, tant à dire sur les sécheresses qui se multiplient, sur ces difficultés majeures pour l’irrigation de l’agriculture iraquienne, qui menacent l’alimentation de tant de citoyens d’Iraq. Pourquoi? En particulier à cause, bien sûr, des retenues au barrage qui s’opèrent, au niveau de la Turquie, sur le Tigre et sur l’Euphrate. C’est la Turquie, elle aussi, qui est en jeu dans les incursions – tant de collègues l’ont rappelé – en territoire iraquien, qui aujourd’hui tue des civils iraquiens. Et là encore, l’Europe pourrait agir.  L’actualité nous rappelle aussi notre responsabilité envers toutes ces familles chrétiennes d’Iraq qui sont aujourd’hui encore en train de quitter une terre qui a été la leur depuis plus de mille cinq cents ans. Une terre qu’ils sont aujourd’hui contraints d’abandonner devant le spectre d’une violence qui ne cesse de les menacer. J’étais avec eux pour Noël à Qaraqosh, ville qui pourrait être le symbole d’une espérance. Ils ont réussi à revenir, à reconstruire sur ces terres que l’État islamique avait occupées, et ils ont réussi à vaincre le mal qui les frappait. Et pourtant, si nous ne sommes pas à leurs côtés, ils vont quitter ce pays, et avec eux c’est ce pays tout entier qui sera défiguré. Avec leur départ c’est le Moyen-Orient qui perdra une part de son âme.  C’est sans conteste la responsabilité de l’Europe que de soutenir ces populations et de leur dire que, à travers elles, c’est aussi une part de nous, de notre héritage commun qui se trouve représentée dans ce Moyen-Orient lointain, et pourtant si proche de nous par tant d’enjeux essentiels.
Debate: EU relations with Iraq
Date: TUESDAY, 18 APRIL 2023
Speaker: Barry Andrews
Political group: Renew
Country: Ireland
Language: EN

Madam President, like a number of colleagues here in the hemicycle, I was a Member of the European Parliament delegation to the EU Election Observation Mission in Iraq in 2021. And while it is true that the roots of democracy in Iraq are shallow, they are certainly growing. There was a very low turnout, which showed the high level of frustration among the young people, especially those that protested after 2019. But 25 % of MPs are female, thanks to affirmative action in the Iraqi Constitution.  But an issue that cannot be ignored by the European Union is that sometimes the interests of individual Member States conflict with those of the European Union and unfortunately, this is the case in Iraq, where Team Europe is merely an aspiration. Iraq deserves our support. Iraq needs our support, but it needs and deserves a united EU voice.
Debate: EU relations with Iraq
Date: TUESDAY, 18 APRIL 2023
Speaker: Angel Dzhambazki
Political group: ECR
Country: Germany
Language: BG

Г-жо Председател, ако трябва да бъдем честни, това не се случи в тази зала по време на този разговор. Трябва да си кажем, че няма много големи отношения на Европейския съюз с Ирак, просто защото такава държава от доста време няма и няма и да има. Тази държава беше разрушена под предлог, че се търсят в нея химически оръжия. Не знам дали някой ги намери. Не, не е казал и най-вероятно не ги е намерил. Нямаше санкция за атаката срещу нея и това отприщи разпадането на държави като Ирак, като Либия, като Сирия, които предизвикаха и темата на предишния дебат, а именно огромна вълна от миграция към Европа.  И ако тука чух много интересни неща, говореше се за демокрация в Ирак, за просперитет, за честни избори, такива неща, това е някакъв друг Ирак, сигурно е на друга планета. Не е този, който се намира в Близкия изток така, както го познаваме. Така че докато си говорим тук такива приказки няма да намерим никакъв правилен избор и никакво правилно решение за това, което се случва в тази част на света.  Честно трябва да се казват нещата, защото ситуации като тази в Ирак са предизвикани, включително и с мълчаливото съгласие на тази зала и това доведе до ситуация, в която сме.
Debate: EU relations with Iraq
Date: TUESDAY, 18 APRIL 2023
Speaker: Johannes Hahn
Language: EN

We are determined to develop further our strong partnership with Iraq, especially in the current geopolitical context following Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. This includes both economic and political security dimensions. In this regard, the Union’s strategic policy frameworks such as REPowerEU, the European Green Deal and the Global Gateway offer additional opportunities for enhanced cooperation and investment in Iraq. Therefore we encourage bolstering EU-Iraq relations at all levels and in all formats. Therefore we welcome the European Parliament’s deliberations and outreach to strengthen interparliamentary relations with Iraq.
Debate: EU Rapid Deployment Capacity, EU Battlegroups and Article  TEU: the way forward
Date: TUESDAY, 18 APRIL 2023
Speaker: Heidi Hautala
Country: Poland
Language: FI

Esityslistalla on seuraavana Javi Lópezin ulkoasiainvaliokunnan puolesta laatima mietintö EU:n nopeasta toimintakyvystä, EU:n taisteluosastoista ja SEU-sopimuksen 44 artiklasta: tulevat toimet (
Debate: EU Rapid Deployment Capacity, EU Battlegroups and Article  TEU: the way forward
Date: TUESDAY, 18 APRIL 2023
Speaker: David McAllister
Political group: PPE
Country: Netherlands
Language: DE

Genau solch einem Zweck dient diese schnelle Eingreiftruppe der Europäischen Union. Mit bis zu 5000 Soldaten, die je nach Bedarf zu Bodentruppen, Luft- oder Seestreitkräften gehören, wird die Eingreiftruppe auf den jeweiligen Krisenkontext zugeschnitten. So unterscheidet sie sich qualitativ und quantitativ von den  Damit die schnelle Eingreiftruppe nicht das gleiche Schicksal erfährt wie ihr Vorgängermodell, bleiben noch manche Fragen zu klären. Das betrifft besonders die Kostenteilung, die Anforderung zur Einsatzbereitschaft parallel zur  Am Ende, liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen, steht und fällt das Konzept mit dem echten politischen Willen der Mitgliedstaaten. Gemessen an den Hürden, die die europäische sicherheits- und verteidigungspolitische Zusammenarbeit bisher nehmen musste, ist die schnelle Eingreiftruppe ein Meilenstein. Darauf kann und sollte aufgebaut werden.
Debate: EU Rapid Deployment Capacity, EU Battlegroups and Article  TEU: the way forward
Date: TUESDAY, 18 APRIL 2023
Speaker: Miapetra Kumpula-Natri
Political group: S-D
Country: France
Language: EN

As we navigate in the ever-changing landscape of global security challenges, the European Union must adapt and strengthen its capacities to react quickly, robustly and effectively to the conflicts and crises also outside of EU borders.  The EU Rapid Deployment Capacity can be a critical good component to our collective security that we can use in the future. The Rapid Deployment Capacity can allow us to respond swiftly to crises beyond the borders, and examples for the evacuations can be very concrete targets that it can be used to. So it enables us to project stability in the areas where the conflicts threaten the regional security, not maybe only in Africa, but 360 around us.  Such talks will include rescue and evacuation, initial entry and initial phase of stabilisation operators, operations, temporary reinforcement for other missions, and acting as a reserve force to secure exit. This capacity in the EU battlegroups, which are multinational and high readiness military units, can provide a flexible and rapid response force. I think the way forward is clear. We do not see the moral calm surroundings, but we can see the need for this one. So the thing that Article 44 TEU is not ever used is not the reason to make this better and be readiness for the use. And I am happy to also see that my country, Finland, is participating for the exercises taken by Spanish and French governments.  So we have to enhance our military readiness, improve interoperability, foster closer cooperation among Member States to ensure more effective and efficient EU capacity. Together, we can shape our future of the citizens and contribute to global peace and stability.
Debate: EU Rapid Deployment Capacity, EU Battlegroups and Article  TEU: the way forward
Date: TUESDAY, 18 APRIL 2023
Speaker: Klemen Grošelj
Political group: Renew
Country: Hungary
Language: EN

Colleagues, this is not the way to form a modern military force. We need first to define the EU strategic ambitions. The goal is to enable the EU to act autonomously, militarily, without endangering nor weakening European defence enshrined in NATO. This is the starting point from which we should develop EU battlegroups using NATO capabilities to the greatest possible extent, at the same time enable the EU to act militarily and protect its interests. These would be actions limited geographically and in scope, such as the evacuation of EU citizens supporting EU CSDP missions and the like.  However, before doing this, we need to speed up our work on developing an EU civil-military chain of command, budgeting and logistics support of the EU rapid deployment capabilities. We also need to strengthen the interoperability of our armed forces and ensure regular and sufficient financing not only of our militaries, but also the necessary industrial capabilities to equip troops with modern military equipment.
Debate: EU Rapid Deployment Capacity, EU Battlegroups and Article  TEU: the way forward
Date: TUESDAY, 18 APRIL 2023
Speaker: Hannah Neumann
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: Sweden
Language: EN

It is crucial that Member States now move forward with urgency and with ambition to make the capacity operational by 2025 – although 2024 would even be better – to establish it as a permanent multinational unit to finally provide enough funding and staff to the MPCC as promised many years ago, and adequate resources to the European Peace Facility to imburse all operative costs. Those are important technical details, but let us take a step back. Why are we discussing the rapid deployment capacity today? The first reason: because its predecessor, the EU Battlegroups, have never been deployed since their creation 20 years ago. ‘Why?’ you may ask. Well, mainly because EU Member States never had the political will to deploy forces jointly under one European umbrella and an initiative report clearly will not change that. So I call on Member States to finally back up their words with actions. And the second reason being the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, how it exposed the EU as an onlooker in a crisis, and how we had to leave our Afghan partners behind in catastrophic circumstances. So I call on this Parliament and the Council to show now equal determination to develop further tools to better protect our local partners and ever create them when needed. Those currently in hiding and living in constant fear of being killed in Afghanistan, as well as those worrying about their future in Mali today. This, dear colleagues, is the other crucial part of our responsibility. And without the support of local partners, no EU action, no matter how rapidly deployed, will ever have a positive political impact on the ground.