unimelb-nlp/MultiEup-v2 huggingface dataset:
Debate: Recent developments in the Eastern Partnership
Date: TUESDAY, 15 DECEMBER 2020
Speaker: Fabio Massimo Castaldo
Political group: NI
Country: France
Language: IT

Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, nella storia del partenariato orientale e specialmente per i popoli del Caucaso meridionale non è inopportuno ricordare le enormi sofferenze a causa della violenza politica, caro Alto rappresentante. I nostri programmi hanno contribuito al benessere e alla crescita di questa società con l'intento principale di fermare questa spirale. L'attualità ci dimostra però che questi progressi sono purtroppo reversibili e che l'unico modo per difenderli e portare prosperità alla società è un modo ovviamente pacifico. I recenti sviluppi in Nagorno-Karabakh, la violenta repressione di Lukashenka in Bielorussia e la difficoltà operativa dell'UE di fronte al loro dispiegarsi sono un segnale evidente del fatto che l'Unione deve ripensare gli strumenti del programma di partenariato orientale. In Nagorno-Karabakh il conflitto è stato nuovamente congelato da una tregua utile alle potenze egemoni del Caucaso – la Russia e la Turchia – per consolidare la nuova influenza, ma foriera di ulteriori cicatrici e ferite tra Baku ed Erevan. Risolvere questa controversia, risolvere la transizione democratica in Bielorussia è uno sforzo importante, richiederà un'Europa che possa svolgere al meglio il suo ruolo di mediatore e di campione del dialogo e del multilateralismo. Unanime deve essere la nostra volontà, non certo il funzionamento dei nostri strumenti.
Debate: Recent developments in the Eastern Partnership
Date: TUESDAY, 15 DECEMBER 2020
Speaker: Andrea Bocskor
Political group: PPE
Country: Romania
Language: EN

Madam President, dear colleagues, I never believed it could happen that, due to my parliamentary activities because I try to protect the rights of the Hungarian minority living in Ukraine, I have been included on a so-called death list of the Myrotvorets website as an enemy of Ukraine. However, it happened, and the problem is even more serious, as it is not just me who is attacked because of raising a voice for the protection of the Hungarian community, but the community itself faces constant political pressure, attacks and intimidation. I often stress that there is a huge problem with the respect for fundamental minority rights in Ukraine, especially how the Hungarian community is treated. In November there were several cases of hate speech against the Hungarians; then, armed commando units of the Security Service of Ukraine delivered a coordinated attack against the Office of the Cultural Alliance of Hungarians and the home of its leader and a charity. The harsh actions were based on fabricated accusations to restrict the operation of these organisations and to intimidate the Hungarian minority. Honourable High Representative, I would like to ask you to take concrete steps and call on Ukraine to close down the Myrotvorets website and to ensure the protection of the Hungarians living in Ukraine and persons who stand up for human and minority rights.
Debate: Recent developments in the Eastern Partnership
Date: TUESDAY, 15 DECEMBER 2020
Speaker: Marina Kaljurand
Political group: S-D
Country: Poland
Language: EN

Madam President, I should like to say to the High Representative that it’s very symbolic that we are discussing the Eastern Partnership today, on the eve of awarding the 2020 Sakharov Prize to the democratic opposition of Belarus.  2020 was a difficult year. Our eastern partners faced serious and unforeseeable challenges. Therefore, today more than ever, they expect – and rightly so – political commitment and resolute actions supporting their democratic processes. Eastern Partnership policy has not failed, but it needs reinforcement.  As the Chair of the Delegation for Relations with South Caucasus, I have had regular contact with my partners and colleagues, but I also know how important it is to talk to people, civil society and human rights activists. Today, I discussed the human rights situation in Nagorno—Karabakh and, more widely, in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, with the women’s rights organisation Kvinna Till Kvinna (‘Woman to Woman’). As this is most probably my last intervention this year, I would like to conclude with what they said to us parliamentarians: ‘do not forget ordinary people, especially minorities, when taking political decisions’.
Debate: Recent developments in the Eastern Partnership
Date: TUESDAY, 15 DECEMBER 2020
Speaker: Hilde Vautmans
Political group: Renew
Country: Romania
Language: EN

Madam President, first of all I would like to thank Mr Borrell very much for the human rights sanction mechanism. Finally, I should say.  The stability of our neighbourhood is key for our security, so we need a strong Eastern Partnership. We all agree on that. But how do we get there, that’s the fundamental question. What the situation in Nagorno Karabakh and Belarus have in common is the inability of the EU to have a meaningful influence. It’s not just that we are too slow or too divided. No, we just don’t have any political clout. Geopolitical ambitions, yes, but power, no.  And so we continue our financial support, yet at the same time we leave the fate of the region in the hands of Putin. Putin’s troops are in Nagorno Karabakh, his military advisers and media experts in Belarus. And where are we? The EU needs to take a more proactive, direct and leading role. But most importantly, if we want our eastern neighbourhood policy to succeed, we need, Mr Borrell, to complement it with a new, more effective EU-Russia strategy. Time to make work of it.
Debate: Recent developments in the Eastern Partnership
Date: TUESDAY, 15 DECEMBER 2020
Speaker: Bernhard Zimniok
Political group: ID
Language: DE

Frau Präsidentin, werte Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Die Östliche Partnerschaft besteht seit über zehn Jahren. Über 1,3 Milliarden EUR sind bis dato in die Stabilisierung der staatlichen Institutionen geflossen, damit sich diese dem Standard der EU annähern. Von einigen kleinen Erfolgen abgesehen, ist die Bilanz allerdings ziemlich ernüchternd. Nehmen wir das Beispiel Ukraine: Bereits im November 2019 habe ich hier im Plenum auf das nach wie vor von Korruption und Sowjetstrukturen durchzogene System aufmerksam gemacht. So hat die Ukraine das Haager Kindesentführungsübereinkommen zwar unterschrieben, aber niemals umgesetzt. Von einem Elternteil in die Ukraine entführte Kinder werden nach wie vor dort festgehalten, die Täter von den Behörden gedeckt und Gerichtsentscheidungen ignoriert. Ein von mir angefragtes und auch zugesagtes Gespräch mit dem Botschafter der Ukraine zu dieser Thematik kam nie zustande. Die EU muss ihre Unterstützung endlich auch an Konditionen knüpfen. Das heißt in diesem Falle: keine Umsetzung des HKÜ – keine Subventionen oder Visafreiheit!
Debate: Recent developments in the Eastern Partnership
Date: TUESDAY, 15 DECEMBER 2020
Speaker: Viola Von Cramon-Taubadel
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: Ireland
Language: EN

Madam President, this year has been extremely intense everywhere, particularly in the Eastern Partnership region. Besides fighting the pandemic, the Eastern Partnership countries also had to deal with many other challenges. Moldova managed to elect a pro-European President. Ukraine conducted successful local elections only to backslide on fighting corruption and other crucial reforms on rule of law. Georgia, unfortunately, trapped itself in a dangerous political crisis. Therefore, we urge all political parties to resume the dialogue in order to uphold the national interest.  However, nowhere has the year been as violent as in Belarus, Armenia and Azerbaijan. The EU continues supporting the people of Belarus and their democratic government in fighting against terror until freedom and justice will prevail.  Dear fellow Europeans and our neighbours in Belarus, we stand with you until the very victory. The Sakharov Prize to the democratic opposition is one of the most visible signs of solidarity from this House in order to honour your striving for freedom. In Azerbaijan and Armenia, the EU should realise its vital role for bringing peace, engage actively in reconstruction of the region, and make sure that the reconciliation leads to prosperity for both countries.
Debate: Recent developments in the Eastern Partnership
Date: TUESDAY, 15 DECEMBER 2020
Speaker: Charlie Weimers
Political group: ECR
Country: Luxembourg
Language: EN

Madam President, Azeri soldiers beheaded two Armenian civilians while they were alive: Genadi Petrosyan and Yuri Asryan. They tortured Armenian civilians and prisoners of war; desecrated corpses, churches and tombstones. While Turkish and Azeri troops marched victoriously through Baku, Turkey’s aspiring Sultan, President Erdogan, revered the souls that committed the Armenian genocide – the Islamic Army of the Caucasus. Armenia’s capital and several provinces were declared Azeri historical land by Azerbaijan’s dictator, President Aliyev. Azerbaijan, ladies and gentlemen, is an EU Eastern Partnership country, which means we shower them with EU funds. That needs to stop. Instead we need sanctions against Azerbaijan and Turkey for their neo-Ottoman war of aggression.
Debate: Recent developments in the Eastern Partnership
Date: TUESDAY, 15 DECEMBER 2020
Speaker: Dorien Rookmaker
Political group: NI
Country: Netherlands
Language: EN

Madam President, the Eastern Partnership aims at bringing peace at our eastern borders but to countries which have neither the ability nor the will to adopt western values, and the EU does not have the power to impose values or political views. If you take on responsibilities without having the authority and power to act, you are heading for failure. The actions of the European Union in the Eastern Partnership countries, especially the injection of funds, may in fact lead to instability, because it provokes people to fight among each other over funds. Ten years of partnership has not led to stability at all and that’s terrible. Money can be a solution but it often is a cause of problems. The 72 million people who live in the Eastern Partnership countries will receive EUR 1 billion to soften the coronavirus crisis. This is almost EUR 14 per person. Will this really help, or will it create new problems? Let’s stop this nonsense and start dealing with our neighbours in a mature and respectful manner. Stop sending money for nothing, which only destabilises the countries and enhances corruption.
Debate: Recent developments in the Eastern Partnership
Date: TUESDAY, 15 DECEMBER 2020
Speaker: Traian Băsescu
Political group: PPE
Country: Romania
Language: RO

Doamnă președintă, domnule Înalt Reprezentant, cinci state din cele șase aflate în Parteneriatul estic au conflicte mai mult sau mai puțin înghețate și trupe ale Federației Ruse pe propriul teritoriu. Ineficiența formelor internaționale de negociere a dat timp separatiștilor să-și consolideze statalitatea ilegală, iar Federației Ruse timp să-și consolideze prezența militară la frontierele Uniunii Europene și NATO. Privind harta regiunii, constatăm că Federația Rusă a creat prin conflicte înghețate un arc de resurse militare ofensive în jurul Mării Negre. Visăm la autonomie strategică, dar tolerăm agresivitatea Rusiei la frontierele noastre. Parteneriatul estic nu va da roadele scontate, dacă nu vom face trei lucruri: 1. prin acțiune diplomatică, să dobândim dreptul legitim de a fi parte la toate formatele de negociere a conflictelor înghețate; 2. consolidarea militară a flancului estic prin dislocarea de trupe ale Uniunii Europene la frontiera estică și  3. un parteneriat solid cu NATO pentru redobândirea echilibrului militar la Marea Neagră. Aceste lucruri vor asigura stabilitate țărilor din Parteneriatul estic.
Debate: Recent developments in the Eastern Partnership
Date: TUESDAY, 15 DECEMBER 2020
Speaker: Robert Hajšel
Political group: S-D
Country: Netherlands
Language: EN

Madam President, we need a coherent approach towards Eastern Partnership countries that violate joint commitments. We all know that these things are not going well. Let me mention only the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, about which we have to very concerned. The ceasefire brokered by the Russians in November sent a positive signal, but lasting peace, including agreement on the status of the region, still needs to be negotiated. Both sides in the conflict recently accused each other of ceasefire violations, but there are also many human rights violations. For example, you need only take the mistreatment of the Armenian troops captured during the conflict. We have to call for the immediate release of all the detainees. I have to say that I’m afraid that it’s not enough for the European Union only to follow the situation and to support the Minsk Group. The EU must take the responsibility and contribute more actively to long—term conflict settlement in the Eastern Neighbourhood. The role of Turkey and its support of one of the sides in the conflict creates a serious threat that may ultimately be counterproductive to long-term peace in the region.
Debate: Recent developments in the Eastern Partnership
Date: TUESDAY, 15 DECEMBER 2020
Speaker: Petras Auštrevičius
Political group: Renew
Country: Lithuania
Language: EN

Madam President, frankly speaking, I miss the EU’s geopolitical ambition, strong determination and full engagement in the Eastern Partnership. Renewed military conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, its devastating outcomes and the ceasefire agreement confirms the fact of a reduced EU geopolitical presence in the South Caucasus. Neither the European Union nor its Member States were a part in reaching the political solution. The mere fact that the conflict involved two participants of the EU’s Eastern Partnership Initiative demonstrates the shortcomings of our foreign and security policy. We lacked the timely political initiative, necessary tools and strategic vision. Election of the pro-European President Maia Sandu in Moldova is a long-awaited event that returns hopes about implementation of most needed reforms. Her promise to fight against corruption and free the state from oligarchic rule needs to be reinforced with EU support. Moldova received a historic opportunity and it would be too disastrous not to seize it.  Awakening of the civil society in Belarus, its desire to democratise the state and start the reform process places even higher expectations on the EU’s Eastern Partnership policy. Let’s be vigorous and strong in supporting Belarusian democratic opposition.
Debate: Recent developments in the Eastern Partnership
Date: TUESDAY, 15 DECEMBER 2020
Speaker: Jordan Bardella
Political group: ID
Country: France
Language: FR

Madame la Présidente, l’Union européenne espérait en 2009 que ce Partenariat oriental, qui comprend notamment l’Azerbaïdjan, permette l’établissement des valeurs communes que sont la démocratie, l’état de droit et le respect des droits de l’homme. Ce cercle d’amis, comme le souhaitait l’ancien président de la Commission Romano Prodi, devait voir le jour grâce aux vertus miraculeuses du libre- échange. Aujourd’hui, l’Azerbaïdjan et son président occupent par la force un territoire que l’histoire a voulu arménien, et chaque jour qui passe apporte son lot de massacres, de pillages commis par les troupes et miliciens azéris. Le président turc Erdoğan, conquérant et belliqueux, peut affirmer sans honte que la lutte historique de l’Azerbaïdjan contre l’Arménie n’est pas terminée.  Il est temps, Madame, de suspendre au plus vite la totalité des avantages accordés à l’Azerbaïdjan dans le cadre de notre politique étrangère, à commencer par l’accord de facilitation en matière de délivrance de visas. Si l’Europe est tant préoccupée par ses intérêts gaziers, raison pour laquelle elle refuse de hausser le ton, qu’elle défende donc courageusement ses États membres en Méditerranée orientale face aux agressions répétées de la Turquie.
Debate: Recent developments in the Eastern Partnership
Date: TUESDAY, 15 DECEMBER 2020
Speaker: Željana Zovko
Political group: PPE
Language: EN

Madam President, recent developments in Eastern Partnership countries call for a strategic European policy towards the region. We can see that the political scenes remain highly volatile. We must take into account the drafting of new objectives post 2020. The initiative that offered full cooperation to the Eastern Partnership countries has advantages. However, we must put our common security and the security of our citizens in these countries higher on our agenda. Breaking a ceasefire in the brokered peace in Nagorno-Karabakh is one of these security concerns. I call on the European Union to closely monitor the implementation of the peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Humanitarian assistance should reach those in need and citizens should be able to return peacefully to their homes. We also have to ensure the protection and preservation of cultural and religious heritage sites in Nagorno-Karabakh. Since the ceasefire, both Armenia and Azerbaijan have accused each other of breaching the agreement. We must look for a means, in close cooperation with the co—chairs of the Minsk Group, to find a role for the European Union to broker a permanent ceasefire in this troubled area.
Debate: Recent developments in the Eastern Partnership
Date: TUESDAY, 15 DECEMBER 2020
Speaker: Kati Piri
Political group: S-D
Language: EN

Madam President, we have always been committed to our neighbours in the East, but one thing must be very clear: our commitment is to the people, and wherever a dictator actively steals elections, throws peaceful demonstrators in jail and even tortures his own citizens, whether this is in Belarus or Azerbaijan, our relations should be with the people alone. Tomorrow we are awarding the Sakharov Prize to the female-led Democratic opposition of Belarus, and it is with them that our relations must be. Strong words are not enough. The Belarusians have been protesting for four months now, and Lukashenko is still there with the support of Moscow. More than 32 000 people have been detained. There are more than 4 500 serious allegations of torture and several people who have been killed or disappeared. We can’t simply look away and allow this to continue. The people of Belarus rightfully expect firm action. We have to seriously step up the sanctions to include all state companies and oligarchs, who are the lifeline of an illegitimate dictator, to hurt those who repress and torture peaceful demonstrators and finance Lukashenko, and at the same time, of course, step up all technical, financial and political support to the Belarusian people. We will not rest until all political prisoners are freed, perpetrators brought to justice, and free and fair elections are held. It is the right of the people of Belarus and the whole Eastern Partnership to decide on their own future and direction, and we will always defend that right.
Debate: Recent developments in the Eastern Partnership
Date: TUESDAY, 15 DECEMBER 2020
Speaker: Radosław Sikorski
Political group: PPE
Country: Sweden
Language: PL

Pani Przewodnicząca! Mówię o Partnerstwie Wschodnim jako poseł z kraju, który ponad 10 lat temu zaproponował ten program całej Unii Europejskiej. Jak powiedzieli moi przedmówcy, obraz sytuacji w krajach partnerskich jest mieszany. Mamy wojnę, zamrożone konflikty, represje, korupcję, ale mamy też walkę o wolność, rozwój handlu i triumfy demokracji. Temperatura debaty o Partnerstwie Wschodnim w tej Izbie pokazuje, że stał się on kluczowym elementem naszej polityki sąsiedztwa i polityki zagranicznej.  Panie Wysoki Przedstawicielu, wiem, jak trudno jest wpływać na wydarzenia w innych krajach, ale chcę Panu powiedzieć, że te wszystkie głosy są głosami poparcia i troski, a to, że ludność najpierw Ukrainy, potem Białorusi, a teraz Mołdawii pokazuje swoje aspiracje europejskie, to wielkie zwycięstwo Partnerstwa Wschodniego. Proszę nie ustawać w swoich wysiłkach, a ja mam tylko nadzieję, że państwa członkowskie będą lojalnie wspierać wspólnie ustaloną politykę.
Debate: Recent developments in the Eastern Partnership
Date: TUESDAY, 15 DECEMBER 2020
Speaker: Carmen Avram
Political group: S-D
Country: Romania
Language: RO

Situația rămâne extrem de tensionată și în Nagorno-Karabah, acolo unde regimul azer este acuzat că nu respectă armistițiul, iar eforturile umanitare sunt împiedicate. UE va trebui, deci, să-și reconsidere abordarea în regiune, pentru a nu mai permite guvernelor implicate în conflicte deschise să violeze principiile și valorile comune ale acestui parteneriat. De asemenea, trebuie să ne respectăm promisiunea și, prin urmare, UE trebuie să se implice mai activ în găsirea unor soluții de pace, stabilitate și siguranță pe termen lung.
Debate: Recent developments in the Eastern Partnership
Date: TUESDAY, 15 DECEMBER 2020
Speaker: Kinga Gál
Political group: PPE
Country: Spain
Language: HU

A nemzeti kisebbségek ilyen mértékű megfélemlítése bárhol a világon elfogadhatatlan, de mindez sokkal súlyosabb, ha az a keleti partnerség egyik NATO és Európai Unióhoz közeledni kívánó országában zajlik. Az emberi jogok része a kisebbségi jog, ahogyan ezt mindenhol a világon számon kéri az Európai Unió, úgy Ukrajnán is számon kellene kérnie, nem pedig szemet hunynia a súlyos jogsértések felett – geopolitikai okok miatt. Az ukrajnai magyarok ellen zajló politikai nyomásgyakorlás és megfélemlítés elfogadhatatlan módszer, amelyek különösen Európának ezen a részén rossz emlékeket idéznek, és félelmet gerjesztenek, ezért határozott állásfoglalásra és szankciók kilátásba helyezésére van szükség.
Debate: Recent developments in the Eastern Partnership
Date: TUESDAY, 15 DECEMBER 2020
Speaker: Elżbieta Kruk
Political group: ECR
Country: Bulgaria
Language: PL

Dziś jej formuła, która powstała w latach 2008–2009, wymaga aktualizacji. Ostatnie wydarzenia w regionie – zwłaszcza na Białorusi i Kaukazie Płd. – stwarzają nowe wyzwania. Pokazują jednocześnie konieczność utrzymania strategicznego znaczenia europejskiej polityki sąsiedztwa, szczególnie w kontekście agresywnej polityki rosyjskiej w tym regionie. Warto przypomnieć, że kiedy powstawał program Partnerstwa Wschodniego, Rosja otrzymała propozycję współpracy, z której nie skorzystała. Nie tylko jednak Rosja, ale też szereg innych sił chciałoby, aby UE nie zajmowała się tematyką wschodnią. Oceniając program historycznie, można go częściowo krytykować, nie odniósł bowiem zbyt wielu sukcesów, być może dlatego, że miał za mało pieniędzy. Pozytywy to umowy stowarzyszeniowe z Gruzją, Mołdawią i Ukrainą. W tym kontekście warto wspomnieć nową inicjatywę regionalną, tzw. Trójkąt Lubelski, służącą pogłębionej współpracy pomiędzy Ukrainą, Polską i Litwą. To pomysł na format politycznej współpracy krajów unijnych oraz krajów nieunijnych, ale należących do Partnerstwa Wschodniego. Chciałoby się, aby był to czworokąt włączający Białoruś, bowiem nie możemy sobie pozwolić na rezygnację ze współpracy z Mińskiem.