unimelb-nlp/MultiEup-v2 huggingface dataset:
Debate: The repression of the opposition in Turkey, specifically HDP
Date: TUESDAY, 6 JULY 2021
Speaker: Fabio Massimo Castaldo
Political group: NI
Country: France
Language: IT

Signora Presidente, gentile Alto Rappresentante, onorevoli colleghi, l'aggressività in politica estera, lo schiaffo morale del Sofagate, la condizione delle donne e delle minoranze, le continue repressioni del popolo curdo in Turchia e nei paesi limitrofi: questi sono solo alcuni dei temi sui quali il nostro Parlamento ha recentemente condannato il regime di Ankara e la lista non potrà che allungarsi. Con la messa al bando dell'HDP, uno dei pochissimi partiti ancora in grado di offrire posizioni alternative a quelle del regime, si compirà il disegno di Erdoğan, disegno atto a trasformare la Turchia in un vero e proprio sultanato con ambizioni revisionistiche che guardano ovviamente all'Impero ottomano. Eppure stiamo discutendo oggi il rifinanziamento della Facility for Refugees, mettendo sul tavolo la proposta di incrementarne le risorse fino ad un livello mai toccato in precedenza.  Se è vero che non possiamo fare a meno di intrattenere relazioni bilaterali con Ankara, è altrettanto doveroso inserire criteri certi di condizionalità stringenti affinché il perseguimento dei nostri interessi non entri totalmente in conflitto con i nostri principi e i nostri valori, altrimenti di quei principi e valori non resterà che polvere e non basterà un tappeto turco a nasconderla.
Debate: The repression of the opposition in Turkey, specifically HDP
Date: TUESDAY, 6 JULY 2021
Speaker: Josep Borrell Fontelles
Language: ES

Well look, certainly the fight against terrorism cannot be used to silence dissenting voices. We can agree on that. In Turkey and everywhere else.  But at the same time, we have to recognise that Turkey is a state with a multi-party system, an elected parliament and an elected president, and a candidate country with all the obligations that this entails. So we hope that Turkey will honour its international human rights commitments and stay true to its European perspective and demonstrate, with tangible actions, the respect the rule of law, fundamental rights and the basic tenants of a multi—party democracy.  I think that we can agree on that and to have a balanced approach to the situation in Turkey. To raise our voice when we have concerns. To be demanding, replying but not to make analogies with things that happen in other countries, which unhappily for them they are not compatible.  One specific thing that has been raised by several Members is how can you still continue funding Turkey? How can you be prepared to give more money to Turkey? I think you are referring to the funding for refugees. And certainly I think that we would have to continue supporting the refugees that are being hosted on Turkish territory.  Our support for these refugees is a sign of solidarity and it’s also an investment in our stability. There are millions of refugees in Turkey and there may be more if the border in Idlib is closed. Let’s hope this is not going to happen. And these refugees will need support, will require support for some time to come. And their needs have become more acute in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic impact.  Remember that we have organised here in Brussels, the fifth Brussels Syria Conference and the international community had been showing solidarity with the Syrian refugees. And we will have to continue showing this solidarity, offering a package with a regional coverage, not only with Turkey but also with Lebanon and Jordan, because there are a lot of basic needs and education, health care, that will remain priorities and European funding will continue being directed towards giving better opportunities to these people.  So I don’t think there is a contradiction between expressing concerns about some issues that have happened in Turkey and that worry us, and at the same time to continue having a dialogue with Turkey about how can we support the burden that millions of refugees represent for the Turkish authorities and for the Turkish society.  And that’s why the President of the Commission, the President of the Council and myself are engaged by a mandate of the European Union Council to try to look, how can we develop this assistance, and how we can talk with Turkey about different issues related with the stability and security in the eastern Mediterranean. The two are perfectly compatible.
Debate: Foreign interference in democratic processes
Date: TUESDAY, 6 JULY 2021
Speaker: Sandra Kalniete
Political group: PPE
Country: Finland
Language: EN

I would like to highlight the contribution of the EEAS StratCom Task Force in the fight against disinformation and foreign interference in EU democratic processes. I am proud that the first StratCom was launched, following the request of Parliament, back in 2015. Every year thereafter we persistently increased the StratCom budget, which reached four million during last year. We are convinced that StratCom needs a secure and long-term financing model if we are serious about defending our democracies. With great concern I learned that the EEAS has not asked for any extra resources for StratCom for next year. High Representative, why is this so? Do you expect that Parliament again will do the work which should fall to the services under your responsibility?
Debate: Foreign interference in democratic processes
Date: TUESDAY, 6 JULY 2021
Speaker: Pierfrancesco Majorino
Political group: S-D
Country: Ireland
Language: IT

In questi anni sappiamo che vi sono stati numerosi tentativi da parte di attori stranieri, statali e non, di condizionare i processi democratici europei con l'obiettivo di indebolire il nostro progetto e i valori su cui si fonda.  Come diceva il presidente Glucksmann, tanti sono gli strumenti che sono messi in campo contro di noi, da forme più o meno dirette di finanziamento a partiti e fondazioni, cyber-attacchi, fino a campagne di disinformazione organizzata, magari attraverso l'uso distorto delle piattaforme. Questi tentativi hanno sempre due cose in comune: tendono a favorire sovranismi e nazionalismi e hanno come bersagli preferiti minoranze e soggetti più vulnerabili, migranti, donne, comunità LGBT.  Da diversi mesi nella commissione speciale INGE stiamo affrontando tutto questo e abbiamo intenzione di andare fino in fondo anche smascherando quei complici, pure presenti tra le forze di estrema destra d'Europa, che sventolano ipocritamente bandiere nazionali ma prendono ordini da Mosca, o penso a quelle forze che – alludo ad esempio alla Lega di Salvini – hanno intrattenuto relazioni ambigue e tutte ancora da chiarire con i vertici russi.  Ovviamente il rischio dell'interferenza esterna almeno potenziale è purtroppo assai vasto, e non riguarda solo Russia o Cina, ci sono regimi o sistemi antidemocratici che intrattengono rapporti con diversi esponenti politici europei – penso ad esempio all'Arabia Saudita – che cercano un continuo e pericoloso scambio politico.  L'Unione europea – è il senso del nostro lavoro – ha bisogno di mettere in campo una forte strategia di difesa della propria democrazia e ha bisogno di farlo da subito.
Debate: Foreign interference in democratic processes
Date: TUESDAY, 6 JULY 2021
Speaker: Nathalie Loiseau
Political group: Renew
Country: Poland
Language: FR

On doit se rendre à l’évidence: nos démocraties sont harcelées par des régimes autoritaires qui ne supportent pas ce que représente l’Europe – un espace unique de liberté, de prospérité et de solidarité. Alors, si nous sommes d’accord sur le constat, j’ai une autre question à vous poser, Monsieur le Haut représentant: face aux attaques contre nos démocraties, quel est votre plan de bataille pour exposer l’ampleur de la désinformation importée? Et en paraphrasant Staline: l’Europe, combien de divisions? Pour contrer les cyberattaques, comment proposez-vous d’organiser la solidarité entre les États membres, cette solidarité que permettent les traités européens? Comment comptez-vous imposer des représailles à ceux qui harcèlent nos démocraties et se livrent pour le moment à une guerre  Monsieur le Haut représentant, ne nous dites pas ce que vous faites déjà, car nous le savons, nous l’apprécions, mais nous sommes convaincus qu’il faut faire plus. Si c’est une question de moyens humains et matériels, dites-le-nous; si c’est une question d’outils juridiques, dites-le-nous. Ce Parlement sert à cela, et ce Parlement, en tout cas l’écrasante majorité de ses membres, a pour première mission de protéger nos démocraties.
Debate: Foreign interference in democratic processes
Date: TUESDAY, 6 JULY 2021
Speaker: Viola Von Cramon-Taubadel
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: Ireland
Language: EN

But how did we respond to this growing hybrid threat? Instead of active coordination, the EU is stuck in a silo mentality. We need stronger oversight on the political advertisement. Instead of mapping the threats and facilitating effective countermeasures, we ignore foreign funding that aims to destabilise our society. The time for watching is over. We need to act now. Creating the EU structures where Member States can synchronise their policies is important. We must build our resilience in our societies. But raising awareness and media literacy is not enough. We need to invest in the countering infrastructure, and expand the skills and mandates. We cannot continue to surrender our strategic infrastructure to malicious actors for short—term gains, while endangering the future of this continent. More coordination on critical infrastructure is vital. We need to look beyond the EU and assist our European neighbours in the Western Balkans, as well as in the Eastern Partnership countries, in countering disinformation and anti—EU propaganda. Often these are the testing grounds for Russian, Chinese and Turkish hybrid operations.  Most importantly, all of our efforts will be in vain if we do not raise the cost for perpetrators of this interference. The targeted sanctions on disinformation outlets and the states behind them are the right way to go. The budget question was already mentioned by Ms Kalniete, and we hope that in the next year we will see that there is a significant increase in the budget for the East StratCom Unit.
Debate: Foreign interference in democratic processes
Date: TUESDAY, 6 JULY 2021
Speaker: Marco Dreosto
Political group: ID
Country: Bulgaria
Language: IT

È innegabile che vi siano alcuni paesi che, usando le nuove tecnologie, cercano di destabilizzare alcuni Stati nazionali o anche le stesse istituzioni europee. Per questo è necessario collaborare – o sarebbe meglio collaborare – tutti assieme in quest'Aula per dare all'Europa gli strumenti necessari per contrastare tali azioni, invece di venire qui a prendere lezioni da chi ha origine nel Partito Comunista Italiano che per oltre cinquant'anni è stato finanziato da Mosca, e questo è documentato. La posizione della Lega invece è molto chiara: noi stiamo dalla parte delle democrazie occidentali senza se e senza ma. Non abbiamo nessun timore di criticare chi viola questi principi, sia esso a Mosca o a Pechino. Proprio su Pechino Lei, signor Alto Rappresentante, in commissione ci disse che il Servizio europeo per l'azione esterna non ha gli strumenti per contrastare gli attacchi provenienti dalla Cina.  Bene, ora ci dica in quest'Aula di cosa ha bisogno e come noi eurodeputati possiamo venirle incontro. Certamente non possiamo rimanere inermi verso gli attacchi alle nostre democrazie provenienti in particolare da uno Stato gestito dal più grande partito comunista che massacra gli uiguri, perseguita i cristiani e minaccia militarmente Taiwan e calpesta le libertà civili a Hong Kong. Per contrastare le interferenze esterne però l'Unione europea non può fare da sola. Serve rafforzare sempre di più la sinergia anche con altri attori, mi riferisco alla NATO e all'alleato principale del nostro continente, gli Stati Uniti d'America. Non facciamo l'errore di non coinvolgere i nostri alleati d'oltreoceano in questa battaglia, battaglia che deve rivolgersi anche alle piattaforme online affinché ci sia collaborazione ma mai censura.  Troppo spesso vediamo i social media bloccare o censurare non solo estremisti, ma anche chi, come giornalisti o politici, esprime idee non conformi al politicamente corretto, minando il principio fondamentale della libertà di espressione.  Sì allora alla lotta alla disinformazione, no alla censura, questo deve essere estremamente chiaro.
Debate: Foreign interference in democratic processes
Date: TUESDAY, 6 JULY 2021
Speaker: Dace Melbārde
Political group: ECR
Country: Bulgaria
Language: LV

Kā Baltijas valstu pārstāve vēlos uzsvērt, ka Austrumu stratēģiskās komunikācijas operatīvās grupas resursi joprojām ir nepietiekami, bet arī ar to mums nepietiek. Mums ir jāvairo visas sabiedrības sektoru drošumspēja, īpašu uzmanību veltot demokrātiskajam atbalstam, ko sniedz mums brīvie mediji. Medijus Eiropā ir smagi skārusi Covid-19 krīze, un tiem ir nepieciešams būtisks mūsu atbalsts.  Jāatzīmē, ka mediji Krievijā un Baltkrievijā papildus saskaras arī ar brutālu varas spēku. Putina un Lukašenko īstenotā neatkarīgo mediju iznīcināšana likusi daudziem Krievijas un Baltkrievijas profesionālajiem žurnālistiem, pat veselām mediju redakcijām, meklēt patvērumu Eiropas Savienībā. Šobrīd šo žurnālistu un mediju organizāciju atgriešanās savā dzimtenē nav iespējama, žurnālistiem draud vajāšanas, sodi un aresti. Autoritārie vadoņi turpina apdraudēt šos medijus, viņiem atrodoties pat drošajās Eiropas Savienības valstīs, nogriežot šo mediju finanšu plūsmas un pieeju informācijai.  Tāpēc mums ir jāievieš jauni atbalsta pasākumi, kas palīdz Krievijas un Baltkrievijas žurnālistiem un mediju redakcijām turpināt savu darbu no drošās Eiropas Savienības telpas, lai viņi var turpināt autoritārās varas noziedzīgās darbības atmaskošanu un neļaut savu valstu iedzīvotājiem zaudēt cerības. Tāpēc mums ir arī jāturpina atbalstīt vēl atlikušie neatkarīgie mediji uz vietas Krievijā un Baltkrievijā.  Tā kā neatkarīgā vietējā žurnālistika Krievijā un Baltkrievijā tiek ar spēku apklusināta, mums ir būtiski jāpalielina arī Eiropas Savienības reportieru klātesamība šajās valstīs, nodrošinot viņiem aizsardzību. Mums ir pēdējais brīdis būt proaktīviem, lai nezaudētu pieeju objektīvai informācijai par šajās kaimiņvalstīs notiekošo.
Debate: Foreign interference in democratic processes
Date: TUESDAY, 6 JULY 2021
Speaker: Clare Daly
Political group: The Left
Country: France
Language: EN

In reality what we have is a geopolitical confrontation in Eastern Europe and both sides are trying to advance their own version of the truth. When the EU strategic communication challenges biased Russian narratives in the eastern neighbourhood, it’s not out of disinterest and commitment to the truth, but it too is defending and advancing its own strategic interests. So there’s something quite troubling about the way in which this Parliament is embracing a hawkish attitude to foreign interference.  Increasingly we see the legitimate concern of EU foreign policy being defined as disinformation, and the space for dissent is narrowing inside of our democracies. ‘This is my truth, tell me yours’ said the great Welsh socialist Nye Bevan. He was describing a situation, a fundamental commitment in any democracy where we arrive at the truth through a radical tolerance of – and openness to – opposing views. The moment we close the door on that, we have a step towards authoritarianism.  The EU shouldn’t be in the business of defining an official truth. Speaking about certain opinions using the language of national security should appal us. Stigmatising criticism of our own foreign policy is an anathema to a free and open society. And using any regime of sanctions to combat perceived disinformation is a drastic mistake whether by unanimity or qualified majority.
Debate: Foreign interference in democratic processes
Date: TUESDAY, 6 JULY 2021
Speaker: Vladimír Bilčík
Political group: PPE
Country: France
Language: EN

Madam President, I welcome this debate with the High Representative, but, frankly, I find it rather overdue. We are wagging the dog’s tail when it comes to effective and credible European action in fighting foreign interference and manipulative disinformation. Our own institutions are raising red flags. Last month, the European Court of Auditors published a special report on disinformation, which clearly states that our foreign service institutions are not ready to face the growing problem of malicious campaigns from abroad.  Mr Borrell, it is high time to walk your own talk in the fight against targeted influence operations and massive disinformation. The pandemic, with its accompanying infodemic, has merely served as a wake—up call to the longstanding problem of the EU’s weak coordination, accountability and resources in the face of widespread and often very sophisticated foreign propaganda.  Mr High Representative, the fight against disinformation must become a priority for the second part of your mandate, especially in relation to both Russia and China, where most malign campaigns originate. The European Union must focus on preventive measures. This means clear political responsibility and much better coordination of EU action against foreign interference and disinformation in the Commission. It also means proper financial and personal resources in StratCom and more active and decisive engagement in the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership, including support for independent and professional journalism and public broadcasters. Mr Borrell, I look forward to watching closely your action in our common struggle against those who want to destroy our European way of life.
Debate: Foreign interference in democratic processes
Date: TUESDAY, 6 JULY 2021
Speaker: Andreas Schieder
Political group: S-D
Country: Germany
Language: DE

Frau Präsidentin, Herr Vizepräsident! Desinformation ist eine Gefahr für die Demokratie in Europa und auch für die Stabilität. Oft ist das Ziel, einfach Anti—EU—, Anti—Demokratie—Stimmung zu verbreiten – außerhalb und innerhalb der Europäischen Union, außerhalb und innerhalb Europas. Aus Russland und aus China gehen Desinformationskampagnen von außen aus. Es gibt aber auch ernsthafte Bedrohungen aus dem Inneren, z. B. dem Westbalkan und seinen Nachbarländern. Besonders problematisch sieht das die Studie, aus der wir auch hier zitieren: Serbien und Ungarn. In Ungarn ist zum Beispiel zu sehen, dass es zunehmende Investitionstätigkeit von ungarischen Medien, die dem ungarischen Premierminister Orbán besonders nahestehen, am mazedonischen Medienmarkt gibt. Ungarische Medienhäuser, die gewachsen sind, weil die Regierung ihnen einen Auftrag nach dem anderen zugeschanzt hat, investieren jetzt in Nordmazedonien, um dann dieses zu benutzen, um zahlreiche Desinformationskampagnen gerade dort zu machen – gegen die Regierung z. B., gegen das Prespa—Abkommen z. B., aber auch gegen die euro—atlantischen Bemühungen des Landes. Daher, sehr geehrter Herr Vizepräsident der Kommission, muss die Kommission Mittel und Wege finden, mit diesen Praktiken Schluss zu machen. Es ist nicht zu akzeptieren, dass EU—Mitgliedstaaten auf Nachbarländer einwirken und eine Anti—EU—Stimmung erzeugen. Wir müssen hier klar Stellung beziehen.
Debate: Foreign interference in democratic processes
Date: TUESDAY, 6 JULY 2021
Speaker: Bart Groothuis
Political group: Renew
Country: Portugal
Language: EN

Madam President, what do hybrid threats, new threats, have in common, such as state driven disinformation campaigns, cybersabotage, election interference, economic coercion or large-scale intellectual property theft? What is it they have in common? Well, they are foreign policy objectives of both the Russian and also often the Chinese state. Their calculus of such operations is still low risk, low cost and high reward. Countering exactly that calculus, is at the centre of the current thinking in the European Parliament. But, that is only possible through an adequate response mechanism. So after a cyberdiplomacy toolbox – which I fully support – and a 5G toolbox, we believe it is time for a fully-fledged counter hybrid toolbox. Part of that toolbox must be that not only the injured state can respond, but also non-injured Member States. Collective countermeasures, acting in solidarity, will actually influence that Russian and Chinese calculus.
Debate: Foreign interference in democratic processes
Date: TUESDAY, 6 JULY 2021
Speaker: Markéta Gregorová
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: France
Language: EN

Madam President, I would like to welcome Mr Borrell and thank him for joining us. The EEAS has proven to be a very valuable asset when addressing disinformation, Mr Borrell, however, I need to raise several issues. First and most important, in my view, is the brain-drain which has been going on in the StratCom Task Force over the past year. If we do not have motivated, adequately valued experts, dedicated to the topic and cause, we can pour more money into it, double the amount of reports and screenings, but – we won’t have results. We won’t have a deterrent. How are you addressing this, or are you planning to address it?  Secondly, we talk today about resources a lot. You told us in March in the Special Committee on Foreign Interference in all Democratic Processes in the European Union, including Disinformation (INGE Committee), that you have very few resources to fight disinformation coming from China. However, the EEAS is not asking for more resources for its StratCom division. So which is it? Do you want more resources but won’t support steps to get them? Or do you want to avoid the issue of Chinese interference?  Last but not least, developing effective countermeasures to raise the cost for perpetrators is a key part of fighting foreign interference. Which steps will the EEAS take in this regard to demonstrate to adversaries that we are willing to react credibly to their interference? What is the status of the developments of instruments for this purpose as foreseen in the European Democracy Action Plan?