What Željana spoke about.

8 Oct

2026

HR Speech

EU strategies for islands, coastal communities and outermost regions (debate)

Watch

Dear Chair, I welcome the European Union Strategy for Islands, Coastal Communities and Outermost Regions. They have been waiting for a long time and I want to thank that Croatia is recognized in it as a good example with its Law on Islands and the territorial instrument for the development of the island. And it should be a model for other Member States. I have personally convinced myself by visiti…

8 Oct

2026

EN Speech

Escalations in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean following persistent Turkish provocations (debate)

Watch

Mr President, persistent provocation, threats and challenges to the sovereignty of our Member States are unacceptable. They demand a clear and united European response. Our solidarity with Greece and Cyprus must be backed by concrete diplomatic action. Kaja Kallas should go there. I welcome yesterday's agreement between Greece and the United States to further deepen defence and military cooperatio…

6 Oct

2026

EN Speech

Recommendation on EU-China political relations (debate)

Watch

Madam President, EU-China relations stand at a critical point. Our trade deficit with China amounts to around EUR 1 billion a day. Unfair competition and industrial overcapacity put European businesses and jobs under pressure. We need fairer trade, stronger European industry and less dependence in strategic sectors. The EU must equip itself with effective instruments to respond when trade is used …

6 Oct

2026

EN Speech

This is Europe - Debate with the Prime Minister of Portugal, Luís Montenegro (debate)

Watch

Madam President, Prime Minister, it's good to see you here. It's good to see my colleague Paulo Rangel, who was also my great neighbour here – and not only a great neighbour, but a great philosopher, who helped me understand the Atlantic spirit of Portugal. Croatia and Portugal share a strong maritime heritage and common responsibility for Europe's future. I am very pleased that you will join the …

6 Oct

2026

EN Speech

Preparation of the European Council meeting of 15-16 October 2026 (debate)

Watch

Mr President, they say that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, and we will talk about the enlargements this week, and we will have presented the enlargement strategy. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, we had clear historic elections and, finally, legitimate representation in the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina. They're a bit slow on progress, because this position was occupied four times by some…

16 Sep

2026

EN Answer

State of the Union (debate)

Watch

In this group we have an inter-group for historical memory. And I think part of this historical memory includes many issues and has discovered communist crimes, totalitarian regimes and many of the issues for which we offer a platform for discussions. And I invite colleagues to join, so that we can continue discussing and on many also people who are still grieving leaving their land.…

16 Sep

2026

EN Speech

State of the Union (debate)

Watch

Madam President, chapeau, Madam Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, I congratulate you for your condemnation of the horrifying scene from the state funeral of the convicted 'butcher from Srebrenica', Ratko Mladić. The European Union needs enlargement to western Balkans as a strategic priority, but the message was sent and it is clear: the Union does not trade with its value…

15 Sep

2026

EN Speech

Escalation in the Middle East (debate)

Watch

Mr President, as long as the Iranian regime continues to export violence, there will be no lasting peace in the Middle East. Iran's latest missile attack on Jordanian territory is completely unacceptable. Jordan is a key partner of the European Union and the pillar of regional stability. Its sovereignty and security must be protected. For years, the mullahs have financed, armed and directed their …

15 Sep

2026

EN Speech

Defence (joint debate)

Watch

Mr President, Commissioner Kubilius, Europe defence readiness is not only about spending more; money alone is not enough if we cannot turn investment into production capabilities quickly enough. Commissioner, you just rightly said that deterrence also depends on speed. This package is therefore an important step: faster permitting, simpler intra-EU transfers, easier procurement and less administra…

15 Sep

2026

EN Speech

Hybrid attacks against the EU Member States (joint debate)

Watch

Mr President, Madam High Representative, today, NATO fighter jets were forced to shoot down a drone that entered Lithuanian airspace from Belarus. Its origin is still being investigated, but the warning is clear: Europe's security environment is becoming increasingly dangerous. As today's two reports make clear, Russia remains the primary external threat to Europe's democratic integrity, and no Me…

9 Jul

2026

HR Speech

Evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy and follow-up (debate)

Watch

Mr. President, Honourable Commissioner Kadis, ten years of the Common Fisheries Policy has clearly shown what our fishermen need today, and you have seen this on the occasion of a tour of Croatia, for which I thank you. Simpler rules, fair market conditions and less administrative burden. As rapporteur for the application of fisheries rules in the Mediterranean, I call once again for more flexibil…

8 Jul

2026

HR Speech

EU’s response and preparedness to protect people against recurring heatwaves and upcoming wildfires (debate)

Watch

Dear Chair, I congratulate the Commissioner for the increase of the EU Rescue Fund by EUR 11 billion. As rapporteur for the opinion of the Committee on Development, I think this is crucial. In 2019, this house had no interest at all in doing anything about it, but we still do not invest what is basic, and that is the firefighters. No one is helping firefighters to acquire equipment, last week in M…

16 Jun

2026

HR Speech

An EU future for the Western Balkans (joint debate)

Watch

16 Jun

2026

EN Speech

The role of the EU in efforts for peace and stability throughout the Middle East after the announced deal between the US and Iran (debate)

Watch

Madam President, Commissioner, High‑Representative, on a day when the European Parliament is voting on the final breakthrough for the implementation of the temporary agreement with the United States, we have good news coming from the diplomatic breakthrough in the US and Iran's deal announcement. We look with hope towards the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, restoring the free flow of goods…

15 Jun

2026

EN Speech

EU-US trade deal (joint debate)

Watch

Mr President, for decades, Europe and the United States have stood together as the true brothers in arms, united by shared values, common sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment to freedom and democracy. Today, in a world of growing geopolitical uncertainty and economic fragmentation, our transatlantic partnership must remain a source of strength. Strong alliances require trust, reciprocity and a …

18 May

2026

HR Speech

The impact of the implementation of the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive 2014/89/EU on fisheries in selected fishing areas and sea basins (debate)

Watch

As a member of the Committee on Fisheries and rapporteur on ocean diplomacy, I work intensively with fishermen, the scientific community and maritime experts on the future of our seas and oceans. That is why I hosted representatives of the Faculty of Maritime Studies of the University of Split at the conference on ocean safety and sustainability in the European Parliament. I consider it extremely …

18 May

2026

EN Speech

Negative trade-related effects of global overcapacity on the Union steel market (debate)

Watch

Mr President, Commissioner, global overcapacity is expected to reach 721 million tonnes by 2027. When we speak about European steel, we speak about 300 000 jobs across Europe. But we also need precision and proportionality. Not all trading partners contribute to global overcapacity in the same way. We must pay particular attention to candidate countries that are progressively integrated into Europ…

29 Apr

2026

EN Speech

EU strategy in response to the ongoing Middle East crisis, its implications on energy prices and the availability of fertilizers (joint debate)

Watch

Mr President, dear commissioner, recent developments have once again highlighted the high cost of energy dependence. In such a sensitive moment, it is particularly perilous to undermine those partners who have proven to be stable, reliable and fully aligned with our strategic objectives. At a time like this, we must not disadvantage the dependable partners from the EU candidate countries, and we s…

27 Apr

2026

HR Speech

The role of ocean diplomacy for the competitiveness of EU fisheries and aquaculture (debate)

Watch

The European Union has a responsibility to maintain leadership in international fora by fostering multilateralism and cooperating with all relevant partners in the field of sustainable fisheries and ocean governance. This also requires further strengthening the capacity of the European External Action Service to have diplomats who understand ocean governance and can effectively represent our inter…

27 Apr

2026

HR Speech

The role of ocean diplomacy for the competitiveness of EU fisheries and aquaculture (debate)

Watch

The EU's fisheries and aquaculture sector contributes around €5.5 billion a year and directly employs 193,000 people. More than 65% of the EU's territory is marine. The European Union controls the largest common maritime area in the world, more than 25 million square kilometres of purely economic zones and more than 70,000 kilometres of coastline. The sea is the foundation of our economy, connecti…

26 Mar

2026

EN Speech

EU-US trade deal (joint debate)

Watch

Mr President, 'No man is an island entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main', said John Donne. Sixteen million jobs depend on the transatlantic economy and on our decisions. Every delay costs us EUR 5 billion annually. Businesses on both sides of the Atlantic are calling for clarity and predictability, not uncertainty and delay. Beyond all arguments, the facts ar…

11 Mar

2026

EN Speech

Multilateral negotiations in view of the WTO’s 14th Ministerial Conference in Yaoundé, 26 to 29 March 2026 (debate)

Watch

Madam President, we are facing a period of profound global trade challenges. In response, the European Union has adopted a clear strategy: diversifying our trade networks with like‑minded partners, strengthening economic cooperation with reliable partners, and reinforcing a rules‑based global trading system. At the same time, we must work with these partners to ensure meaningful reform of the Worl…

11 Mar

2026

EN Speech

EUCO and situation in the Middle East (joint debate)

Watch

Madam President, for many years we have dealt and voted for resolutions against Iranian oppressive regimes, and you all supported it. And just to those of you who are misquoting Albert Camus, he said, 'I believe in justice, but I will defend my mother before justice'. So terrorism cannot be defended, especially the one that killed their youth in thousands for months – the youth that wanted to live…

11 Feb

2026

EN Speech

Interim report in view of the consent procedure on the Agreement establishing an association between the EU and the Principality of Andorra and the Republic of San Marino (A10-0003/2026 - Željana Zovko) (vote)

Watch

Madam President, dear colleagues, the Association Agreement between the European Union and Andorra and San Marino is the most comprehensive agreement the EU has ever concluded with a third country. It reflects our particularly close ties and covers an exceptionally broad range of areas, including foreign affairs, security, migration, health and energy. Andorra and San Marino are close, like-minded…

10 Feb

2026

EN Speech

Situation in Northeast Syria, the violence against civilians and the need to maintain a sustainable ceasefire (debate)

Watch

Mr President, Madam Commissioner, the situation in Syria remains extremely fragile, and once again it is civilians and minorities who are bearing the heaviest burden. From the very beginning of the political transition, I have consistently underlined that the protection of all minorities must be at the core of any credible and sustainable solution for Syria. Safeguarding their rights is a prerequi…