unimelb-nlp/MultiEup-v2 huggingface dataset:
Debate: Election of the Members of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage
Date: TUESDAY, 3 MAY 2022
Speaker: Eugen Tomac
Political group: PPE
Country: France
Language: RO

Domnule președinte, alegerile europene reprezintă baza democratică a Uniunii Europene. Constituirea Parlamentului European reprezintă și ar trebui să reprezinte în continuare voința cetățenilor europeni care conferă întreaga legitimitate proiectului european. Asta înseamnă că tinerii trebuie să fie încurajați să se exprime politic în chestiunile care îi interesează, să poată vota inclusiv de la 16 ani. Asta înseamnă că principiile de egalitate electorală și egalitate de șanse, în special între femei și bărbați, trebuie să fie întărite. Asta implică și ca succesul proiectului european să se contureze încă de la nivelul național, de la nivelul fiecărui cetățean, tocmai de aceea am votat împotrivă.
Debate: Election of the Members of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage
Date: TUESDAY, 3 MAY 2022
Speaker: Stanislav Polčák
Political group: PPE
Country: Czechia
Language: CS

Pane předsedající, k reformě volebního systému  pro volby do Evropského parlamentu jsem uplatnil i určité výhrady, nicméně začnu pozitivně. Oceňuji řadu konkrétních posunů, sjednocení základních podmínek pro výkon volebního práva jak pro kandidáty, tak pro evropské politické strany, rovněž pro voliče. Například to, že budou znát své kandidáty v pevně stanovém termínu, to si myslím, že jsou zcela konkrétní pozitivní posuny. Rovněž volební kvóty, kde dnes jsou poslanci voleni v různých schématech volebního prahu, někde je to 3,5 %, někde je to 5 %. Boj proti dvojímu možnému hlasování voličů, to si myslím, že je rovněž pozitivní posun, stejně tak korespondenční volba. Výhrady jsem uplatnil zejména proti transnacionálním kandidátním listinám, což se objevilo na sjetině mého hlasování.
Debate: Amending Annexes IV and V to Regulation  / on persistent organic pollutants
Date: TUESDAY, 3 MAY 2022
Speaker: Stanislav Polčák
Political group: PPE
Country: Czechia
Language: CS

Pane předsedající, já jsem tuto zprávu podpořil. Myslím si, že tato zpráva představuje pozitivní posun v ochraně zdraví občanů Evropské unie. Tyto perzistentní organické látky mají negativní vliv na lidské zdraví a rozšíření změny těch dotčených příloh IV a V nařízení Evropského parlamentu a Rady (EU) 2019/1021 jsem přivítal. Naším cílem by mělo být chránit lidské zdraví. Tyto látky patří k nejnebezpečnějším chemickým látkám na světě, uvedu např. bisfenol. Mají dramatický dopad, např. na vývoj lidského plodu. Jsem rád, že jsme šli cestou rozšíření a předběžné opatrnosti na základě vědeckých poznatků o rozšíření tohoto seznamu v těchto přílohách. Myslím si, že to je dobrý posun a dobrá zpráva pro evropské občany, že v ochraně jejich zdraví nepolevujeme.
Debate: A sustainable blue economy in the EU: the role of fisheries and aquaculture
Date: TUESDAY, 3 MAY 2022
Speaker: Rosa D'Amato
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: Czechia
Language: IT

Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, ho votato a favore della relazione sull'economia blu in Europa.  Siamo riusciti ad inserire, grazie ai nostri emendamenti, tutele effettive dell'ambiente marino, tra cui la necessità di vietare le attività industriali estrattive dannose per l'ambiente, incluse le trivelle, nelle aree marine protette. Purtroppo non siamo riusciti a mantenere il testo originale con cui per la prima volta il Parlamento chiedeva di vietare la pesca a strascico nelle aree marine protette.  Sono comunque felice che questa relazione sottolinei l'importanza della piccola pesca costiera, riconoscendo la necessità di tutelare il segmento e promuoverne lo sviluppo anche attraverso l'assegnazione di una fetta più ampia delle possibilità di pesca. Il testo insiste sulla garanzia di condizioni di lavoro dignitose, sicurezza sociale e rappresentanza nelle organizzazioni e nei processi decisionali.  Il testo, inoltre, riconosce il ruolo delle donne nella pesca e nell'acquacoltura, ma è necessario aumentarne la visibilità e assicurare la parità di accesso all'occupazione. La relazione è sicuramente quindi un passo in avanti verso un'economia blu sostenibile ed inclusiva.
Debate: A sustainable blue economy in the EU: the role of fisheries and aquaculture
Date: TUESDAY, 3 MAY 2022
Speaker: Stanislav Polčák
Political group: PPE
Country: Czechia
Language: CS

Pane předsedající, tuto zprávu jsem rovněž podpořil, protože se jasně vymezuje proti škodlivým rybolovným praktikám, ať jsou to unášené sítě nebo vlečné sítě pro lov při dně. Tyto škodlivé praktiky musíme nepochybně omezit a stává se to tedy touto zprávou i v naší legislativě. My máme již zcela mrtvá území našich moří, kde není prakticky žádný život. A právě dosavadní třeba regulace rybolovu, která je již aplikována na základě i mezinárodních úmluv, také ukazuje, že přináší dlouhodobé výsledky, obnovení populací, přenesení biodiverzity do těchto mořských území. Myslím si, že se musíme soustředit na selektivní rybářské metody než na průmyslové druhy lovu a potřebujeme nepochybně obnovit zdraví a biodiverzitu našich moří, což i tato zpráva nepochybně umožňuje.
Debate: EU action plan for organic agriculture
Date: TUESDAY, 3 MAY 2022
Speaker: Eugen Tomac
Political group: PPE
Country: France
Language: RO

Domnule președinte, avem nevoie să mâncăm mai bine și mai sănătos. Calitatea vieții noastre depinde în mod indiscutabil de protejarea mediului înconjurător și de o agricultură centrată pe binele consumatorului. Deci avem nevoie de o agricultură ecologică. Cu toate acestea, momentan riscăm să ne confruntăm cu o criză alimentară mondială cauzată de războiul declanșat de Rusia condusă de Putin, fapt care a perturbat masiv producția de alimente și a mărit și mai mult prețurile în Europa. Înainte de orice, trebuie să discutăm astăzi despre securitatea alimentară în Europa. Sunt esențiale creșterea productivității agricole în Europa, acordarea de mai multe subvenții directe fermierilor, de reducere a TVA pentru alimente indispensabile și de măsuri ambițioase de încurajare a producției sustenabile. Am susținut acest raport.
Debate: EU action plan for organic agriculture
Date: TUESDAY, 3 MAY 2022
Speaker: Rosa D'Amato
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: Czechia
Language: IT

Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, ho votato a favore del piano d'azione dell'Unione europea per l'agricoltura biologica. Questa relazione sostiene in maniera inequivocabile lo sviluppo dell'agricoltura biologica.  Dopo rinunce ambientali della nuova PAC e mentre la guerra in Ucraina ci ricorda l'urgenza di uscire da un modello agricolo basato sugli idrocarburi per i suoi fertilizzanti e pesticidi, il Parlamento europeo ha preso la posizione giusta sul piano d'azione per l'agricoltura biologica, settore chiave anche per il mio paese, l'Italia.  Il nostro modello intensivo ha superato i limiti consentiti dall'ambiente ed è urgente cambiare il nostro modello alimentare, produrre meglio e non necessariamente di più. Questa relazione è un ulteriore passo per raggiungere gli obiettivi della
Debate: EU strategy to promote education for children in the world
Date: TUESDAY, 3 MAY 2022
Speaker: Eugen Tomac
Political group: PPE
Country: France
Language: RO

Domnule președinte, vorbim numai despre crizele acute care se confruntă umanitatea, însă nimeni nu vorbește despre o criză silențioasă care distruge în mod tacit stabilitatea și prosperitatea pe termen mediu și lung a statelor: criza educației la nivel mondial. Unul din trei copii în lume încă nu are acces la internet. Prea mulți copii nu au acces la educație, trăiesc în sărăcie sau participă la o școlarizare care nu duce la învățare. 617 milioane de copii nu reușesc să dobândească competențe minime la citire și matematică, chiar dacă două treimi dintre ei merg la școală. Uniunea Europeană, în calitate de cel mai mare donator de asistență pentru dezvoltare, are responsabilitatea de a avansa și finanța o strategie care să promoveze educația în țările partenere. Nu putem continua să periclităm viitorul a generații întregi de copii. Am susținut acest raport.
Debate: Negotiations ahead of Parliament’s first reading
Date: WEDNESDAY, 4 MAY 2022
Speaker: Roberta Metsola
Country: Poland
Language: EN

I have one announcement. In relation to the decisions by the PECH, IMCO and LIBE Committees to enter into interinstitutional negotiations, pursuant to Rule 71(1), announced at the opening of the sitting on Monday, 2 May, I have requests for a vote in Parliament, pursuant to Rule 71(2), from the ID and ECR Groups, reaching at least the medium threshold, on the decisions of the LIBE Committee to enter into negotiations on the two proposals for regulations concerning the EU Digital COVID Certificate. The vote will be held tomorrow.   Concerning the other decisions to enter into negotiations, I have received no requests for a vote in Parliament by Members or a political group or groups reaching at least the medium threshold and therefore the committees may start the negotiations on the basis of these reports.
Debate: The social and economic consequences for the EU of the Russian war in Ukraine - reinforcing the EU’s capacity to act
Date: WEDNESDAY, 4 MAY 2022
Speaker: Esther de Lange
Political group: PPE
Country: Netherlands
Language: NL

And of course our main focus is and should remain not on the economic consequences here but on the consequences in Ukraine and how to help them against Putin’s barbaric war. And this is why I am very grateful to the Commission that they will announce their sixth sanctions package today, and for the words that the Commission has spoken about the reconstruction and the help to Ukraine. But that being said, we should also talk about the socio—economic consequences here and our capacity to act, because as a European Union, unity is our strongest weapon against this war. And if we want to sustain this unity, we also need to address the consequences here.  For the EPP, we badly need an analysis of the cumulative effects of the war: the rising energy prices, the shortages in raw materials, new legislation on the table, the impact that has on companies and on citizens within the EU. We need to address the consequences also on families, some of them not even turning on their heating because they can no longer do so. And this is why, of course, we are working to address these consequences in the fund that is proposed. And finally, we need to work to address the consequences on companies and on industries. And for the EPP, that means a diversification strategy for raw materials, I think, which is badly needed. The necessary investment for the roll-out of renewable energy. And finally, let’s be very honest, we are asking a lot from our industries, and don’t get me wrong: the EPP wants to achieve the objectives of the Fit for 55 package and the climate law, but we may have to look at a legislative embargo for new legislation to make sure that we are not burdening certain industries that are suffering badly with the cumulative effect of higher prices, the ambitious Fit for 55 package. And, for example, let me mention one piece of legislation –  new REACH, at the same time. Let’s be honest: we stand ready to work with you, but let’s do it in a smart way.
Debate: The social and economic consequences for the EU of the Russian war in Ukraine - reinforcing the EU’s capacity to act
Date: WEDNESDAY, 4 MAY 2022
Speaker: Luis Garicano
Political group: Renew
Language: EN

Also, I think that spending on reconstruction is very good, but as you very well said, there are very urgent funding needs and we need to see how we’re going to address them. And thirdly, you mentioned the embargo on oil. This Parliament is really happy to hear that, congratulations and that’s great news that we are moving on the oil embargo. But as you know, this is far short of what this Parliament wants. We actually asked, a month ago, for a full embargo on gas and oil. While the debate goes on, the EU has sent EUR 50 billion to Russia since the start of the year, EUR 52 billion today. And by the time we get all this oil embargo set, etc., Putin will have received over EUR 100 billion more in revenues. We are now in the worst of all worlds. Consumers are paying higher prices, but these high prices are sufficiently high that Putin gets higher revenues than before, more than compensated for the loss of volume. And some say nothing else can be done, and this is false. There is a clear solution which will collapse Russian revenue, incentivise substitution, protect consumers and even, Ms von der Leyen, increase EU resources. What is this miracle? It is the oldest trick in the book: a tariff. A tariff on Russian energy would allow us to shift some of the extra revenues from higher gas and oil prices to us, the consumers from the Russian producers. With a tariff, the price that European consumers pay will go up a little bit. Some consumers will continue consuming. Some of them will stop. It depends on how much needs they have. But the gap between the price that the consumers pay and what the Russians receive is actually the revenue from the tariff that would flow to the European taxpayers, the European Union, and that could be given back to Europeans to compensate for the higher gas prices. And the suppliers would be the ones facing the trouble, since a lower quantity is going to be supplied, it will be supplied at a lower price. Don’t forget that Russian oil and gas suppliers are desperately dependent on European purchases. Between us and our allies, we purchase 80% of the oil and gas and they will be willing to supply at the lower price that the tariff will involve for them.  Why? First, the EU and US are buying 80% of their fossil fuel exports and the infrastructure bottlenecks make it very hard to shift those exports to Asia. Second, production costs are low at USD 20 a barrel, so they will actually have to accept those lower revenues rather than shutting down the wells. In short, a tariff would allow us to shift Russian revenues to the European Union consumers, all while accelerating an end to European dependency on Moscow’s fuels. Even if a high tariff comes with a cost for the European Union, it is a more efficient way to stop Putin than any of the other sanctions that we already have in place before the embargo comes in as fast as possible. Let’s do it now. It must be a new tool in our armoury, enhancing our capacity to act.
Debate: The social and economic consequences for the EU of the Russian war in Ukraine - reinforcing the EU’s capacity to act
Date: WEDNESDAY, 4 MAY 2022
Speaker: Sara Matthieu
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: France
Language: EN

However, these sanctions will not only harm the Russian economy, they will also affect the lives of European citizens, with a direct impact on their homes, their jobs and their wallets. This could lead to more social inequality, a rise in unemployment and an increase in energy poverty.  We need to protect our citizens, specifically those at risk of falling into poverty – people who are afraid of not being able to heat their homes next winter. We need a strong social response to their fears. The EU has the choice to leave no one behind, to mitigate the rise in energy costs, to ensure decent and affordable housing for all. The EU has the choice to protect workers on the labour market against unemployment. The EU has the choice to ensure that climate transition is a fair transition where industry pays its fair share.  We need minimum wages, minimum income protection for all and a European unemployment scheme. Colleagues, we have the possibility to protect our citizens against the hardships of war, and now is the time to act.
Debate: The social and economic consequences for the EU of the Russian war in Ukraine - reinforcing the EU’s capacity to act
Date: WEDNESDAY, 4 MAY 2022
Speaker: Jordan Bardella
Political group: ID
Country: France
Language: FR

Cette guerre est d'abord et avant tout un questionnement sur notre dépendance: celle aux énergies fossiles importées comme aux produits alimentaires et aux produits agricoles cultivés toujours plus loin de chez nous. Cette guerre nous rappelle la plus vieille leçon de l'histoire: la souveraineté, c'est le prix de la liberté. Dès lors, il est crucial de renforcer notre autonomie énergétique en continuant à renforcer notre filière nucléaire, énergie la plus propre et la plus décarbonée dont disposent aujourd'hui nos sociétés, en refusant de céder aux pressions des Verts qui veulent renvoyer nos sociétés à l'âge de pierre économique par la réouverture des centrales à charbon.  Notre devoir est aussi celui de reconquérir notre souveraineté alimentaire par la fin du libre-échange absolu et le développement du juste échange, le recours aux circuits courts et au localisme, à la proximité. Cette protection de nos filières agricoles passe par la fin de la folle stratégie de la ferme à la fourchette promue par la Commission, qui livre nos agriculteurs à la contrainte et à la ruine.  La situation exceptionnelle que nous connaissons appelle à plus court terme des mesures d'urgence pour le pouvoir d'achat de nos concitoyens. Il faut baisser les taxes sur les carburants, comme l'a fait la Pologne dès le mois de février. Nous souhaitons le faire en France, où les taxes représentent près de 60 % du prix à la pompe. Nous devons aussi nous résoudre à constater qu'à cet instant, les sanctions énergétiques prises par l'Europe ont affaibli notre pouvoir d'achat tout en enrichissant la Russie. Le rouble est à un niveau historiquement haut depuis deux ans et les profiteurs de guerre s'enrichissent toujours plus dans l'exportation des matières premières.  Le constructeur automobile Renault a été contraint de céder ses parts dans la marque russe Lada pour un rouble symbolique. C'est donc un institut dépendant de Poutine qui en a fait l'acquisition. C’est là une drôle de sanction qui conduit à saborder une entreprise française pour finalement permettre au gouvernement russe de la nationaliser gratuitement.  Pour conclure, nous n'avons pas le pouvoir de décider de l'emplacement des gisements de gaz et de pétrole. En revanche, nous pouvons décider de protéger les nôtres tout en sanctionnant les profiteurs de guerre et en aspirant demain à retrouver le chemin de l’indépendance. Il faut suivre un principe simple: les sanctions doivent continuer de cibler Poutine, le régime russe et ses décideurs, et non le portefeuille des Européens, ni les activités de nos entreprises. Je vous conjure de penser à eux.
Debate: The social and economic consequences for the EU of the Russian war in Ukraine - reinforcing the EU’s capacity to act
Date: WEDNESDAY, 4 MAY 2022
Speaker: Márton Gyöngyösi
Political group: NI
Country: Poland
Language: EN

Madam President, there is a broad consensus here and in other EU institutions that economic sanctions on Russia are the most effective way of pressuring Russia to stop its aggression in Ukraine. The speed, efficiency and accuracy of the sanctions proposed by the Commission need to be commended, especially its efforts to create an unprecedented unity among Member States.  It is unfortunate that it took such a disaster to realise the unhealthy dependence of our continent on Russian energy supplies and to start discussions about a unified energy market, based on diversified energy resources and solidarity among Member States. In the past weeks, Russia has demonstrated that it’s ready to use energy as a strategic weapon to further its aggressive geopolitical objectives. It must be clear by now that Russia in the long term is an unreliable partner for supplying energy to the EU.  Therefore, I would like to ask the Commission to focus not only on fossil fuels when it comes to sanctions, but also to target nuclear energy. Nuclear deals struck by Russian Rosatom with the governments of various Member States must be phased out. Finland showed the way by terminating the Fennovoima deal with Rosatom, which supplied a nuclear reactor and was the financial backer of the project, as well as the main shareholder. It’s time that Hungary follows suit and terminates its equally controversial Paks deal with Rosatom. The Commission would be right, in its next sanction package, to ban every Russian nuclear deal on the continent.
Debate: The social and economic consequences for the EU of the Russian war in Ukraine - reinforcing the EU’s capacity to act
Date: WEDNESDAY, 4 MAY 2022
Speaker: Siegfried Mureşan
Political group: PPE
Country: Germany
Language: EN

Mr President, President von der Leyen, dear colleagues, we have all seen that Russia is a threat to the security of the European Union and will remain a threat to us for the foreseeable future. This is why we can only live in safety and stability within the borders of the European Union if we are surrounded in our immediate neighbourhood by countries that are safe and stable. Helping Ukraine clearly also means helping ourselves. This is why the line needs to be to continue supporting Ukraine and sanctioning the Russian Federation.  President von der Leyen, we welcome the new package of sanctions which you presented to us and are putting forward. We as a Parliament have demanded an immediate ban on imports of Russian oil, gas, coal and nuclear fuel. This is why, as the Commission will be implementing the ban on Russian oil, it has to be implemented and it has to take effect as soon as possible, and in a way in which it does not allow for any loopholes or special treatment for Member States or for companies. This would endanger the unity of the European Union. Keeping our unity while we implement this ban will be important, firstly.  Secondly, as we reduce our dependency on Russian fossil fuels, we should not create dependency on any other single route of transport, single source of energy or oil supplying country. We are seeing that any vulnerability, any weakness, has costs in times of crisis. What should we do within the European Union? The title of the debate is social and economic consequences for the European Union. Firstly, we should use the existing tools we have to strengthen our economy. There is still money available in the Recovery and Resilience Facility, because some Member States have not accessed all of the loans component. We need to work with Member States to see if they need the money, if they will access it, and if not, the position of our group, the EPP, is to try to use those sums for large energy projects, transnational energy projects, to interconnect, to bring energy to where it is needed within the European Union. If an amendment of the RRF Regulation is needed for this, we should do it.  Next point: use the decommitted amounts from the 2014-2020 budget to allow Member States to spend the money where they need it, particularly in helping refugees and host communities within the borders of the EU.  One last idea, which helps Ukraine and helps the European Union, is to work towards integrating Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova into the EU single market as soon as circumstances allows. This will help Ukraine to develop by itself, with the costs being more controllable for us.