Speeches

Madam President, yesterday we heard the newly elected president declare his intention to put America first and to end its decline. Very good. That is why people vote for the president. They vote to end the crime and unsafety in the cities. I spent Christmas and New Year travelling through American states. I visited 13 states and 7 000 kilometres. All the people have moved out of cities riddled with crime and drugs that are being imported from Mexico and through unstable borders. These are the facts that American citizens voted on, not on Trump personalities. Europe faces tectonic shifts ahead, and we must act decisively. As we anticipate President Trump's next moves in trade, we must simultaneously strengthen our trade partnerships worldwide and enhance our competitiveness. It is possible to make both Europe and America great, but only if we work together. We need to strengthen our diplomatic channels with the new administration, while advocating for European producers and understanding the American business model. In the past, we failed to fully grasp the reality of the United States of America beyond Washington. Let us ensure we do not repeat that mistake in our engagement with the new administration.

Madam President, it has never been easier to access information, and yet it has never been easier to sell a lie. Is it true that the more smart the phone, the dumber the person using it? We can hear in this debate many concerns about cybercrime and about the DSA. I think that nowadays, when all the authoritarian regimes are using information as the communists, fascists and national socialists once did, we have ourselves a tool that all the democracies in the world can only envy. So, dear Commissioner, I expect you to implement this tool and to help our children and the youth and all of those who don't have such a privilege like us in this House, to prevent manipulation of information and to bring us back in the dark times of democracy.

Mr President, dear colleagues, the agreement is a significant result of a joint effort by outgoing and incoming US administration with Egyptian and Qatari partners. It shows once again that when the United States accepts to play its role fully on the global stage, it bears fruit. We have seen pictures of happy families reunited with their loved ones. However, many more are waiting in a state of unmeasurable fear to find out about the fate of the remaining hostages. The deal must be implemented. Hostages must be returned home, and essential aid to Gaza must go unhindered. As we are preparing to pay for the reconstruction of Gaza, the EU should question itself and think about its role in fostering a permanent peace. The priority is that the Palestinians put the power back in the hands of authorities that must be democratically elected. Palestinians should not be ruled by terrorist group Hamas, who can only bring tears on both sides.

Mr President, Commissioner, as we commemorate the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the declaration on empowering women, it is inconceivable to acknowledge that outside the European Parliament and Commission, women remain largely absent from global decision-making roles. Today, women continue to struggle with the impossible task of balancing their responsibilities as mothers while striving to achieve their professional goals, often feeling they are sacrificing one for the other, and some also fight violence at home. There is a blatant paradox in Europe, where countries claim to defend women's rights and at the same time acknowledge the visible violence that leads to the rape of the body and the killing of the soul, refusing to call this what it is – and it also leads to femicide. We have to put an end to this hypocrisy. Infanticide begins at conception; femicide begins with dehumanising women's bodies. The true heroes of today are the mothers who fight the system unfit to help them thrive.

The EU-Western Balkans Summit is a good signal that Europe wants enlargement as a key geostrategic move to preserve the security of its borders. One country in this mandate from the Western Balkans must join the European Union. Which country is left to the leaders to decide for themselves with their commitment and reform process. I call for a positive race for all those who have received a mandate from the citizens. As the most interesting country for the Republic of Croatia is Bosnia and Herzegovina, which unfortunately suffers in its reforms due to the complexity of the internal organization and imposed decisions years after Dayton. Despite the fact that Croats were voted out in a key law for their energy security in the federal parliament by the majority Bosniak community, without the consent of any Croatian party, yesterday they pushed through key reform laws on border control and personal data protection at the state level. However, we still expect a reform agenda essential for the release of a billion euros that would improve the lives of the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is blocked by these same Bosniak parties in the counties. This is a time that history will not forgive those who miss opportunities. In 2005, Croatia, along with North Macedonia, was granted candidate status, and Turkey began accession negotiations that same year. Where are these three countries now? I think the fact says it all, and to the lady from Italy to say that she stops lying to Croatia.

Mr President, Madam Vice-President, despite the joy that can be expressed in celebrating the toppling of barbaric and cruel regime, the current situation in Syria gives us no reason to rejoice. Indeed, we should refrain from giving benefits of doubt to the individuals that have overthrown the Assad regime. A lot of them are war criminals and represent a major threat to minorities, especially Christians, Jews and Yazidis. There should be no whitewashing, and we should not suddenly change our stance only because the Assad regime fell. Radicalism will not be solved with radicalism. The current promises made by the rebels towards minorities will not be kept for long. The meeting of the new minister for religious affairs in Syria with Christian leaders to promise them protection should not divert our attention. Many years ago in Bosnia, Ottomans came and gave them the same permit. And then in the meantime, they were burning churches, expelling people. And this is what is happening in Bosnia and Herzegovina with Christians, let alone in Syria. So don't be naive. Finally, appoint somebody in the External Action Service and in the Commission, who will be a fully-fledged Commissioner or a representative who will go and protect Christian minorities wherever they live and not make just some symbolic role in the External Action Service. We have to take care of the religious minorities, or we cannot be fully responsible for what is going on in the Middle East.

Madam President, I consider this as a real provocation because Serbia is not a member of the European Union, and there is no Serbian language here.

Madam President, dear colleagues, Russia thought that its aggression on Ukraine would last three days and that next to the giant Russian bear, little Ukraine would fall quietly. We are entering the third year of this David versus Goliath fight, where the biggest winner is at the moment the Russian highly paid propaganda – the tools communists used for decades to distort the truth. Estimates are that Russia invested one billion into the propaganda war. The fact that North Korea is sending its soldiers to fight against brave Ukrainians proves that we have not finished with totalitarian values and ideology where like-minded dictators unite their forces in order to preserve the autocratic regimes. And Iran is also joining its efforts with the autocratic bloc by chipping in with their drones. You have clear company of thugs on one side. It is up to you to take part in history in the making this is a clear signal for the democratic world. Ukraine must not be left alone as unfinished business, and we have to stand with them as long as it takes as we have promised. Don't get tired against fighting against oppression. History will reward you as it did with little David.

Dear Chairman, ten minutes, every ten minutes in 2023 a woman is killed. These women were mothers, daughters, sisters and friends. Behind every number is a life taken, a family destroyed and a future extinguished. The European Union must act more decisively and urgently. We need a united institutional and legal strategy that allows women to live free from fear and violence. We welcome the decision of Prime Minister Plenkovic's government to put an end to this violence and to protect women. By her decision, she also suppressed domestic violence, introduced stricter punishments for hate-motivated violence. The introduction of femicide as a separate crime is a decisive step in the fight against the most extreme form of gender-based violence. But we can't stop here. It is our duty to protect women and girls beyond the borders of the Union. I urge candidate countries to follow the example of the Republic of Croatia and urgently adopt the necessary legislative changes to show a clear commitment to protecting the fundamental human rights of all women and girls. There is no hesitation about it, there is no discussion about it. This is a political decision to let killers continue to express their masculinity by filming themselves as they kill and commit violence against women, and to make it a regional party for all men full of testosterone. It is time to stop and it is time to start doing what has been done in Croatia. Introduce femicide as soon as possible into your legal regulations.

Madam President, dear High Representative, last week I spent, with few colleagues, time with Republican hospitality in Texas. It was great to see Texas the day after the elections, the patriotism and the joy from the local people. I think that we forget one thing forever, as we are elected by the citizens. Not only Trump was elected, but they had the House of Representatives and the Senate being elected. And America is a democracy. They have checks and balances. We have to work with congressmen, with senators, and we have to come to our senses and to work on the issues, not ideology. And thank you, High Representative, for mentioning the Strategic Compass. We have to work on our defence. We have to work on floods. People were voting Trump because they didn't receive help when they needed it. So, we have to work on issues. Otherwise, we will be past as well in this House. And I'm looking forward to the European Union coming to its senses and coming out of this infantile position, expecting somebody else to save us and to threaten with trade war or the war with the words. Accept reality, start working with those with whom we can build bridges, and I think that we can find common interests and joint interests with Trump, with the House and the Senate, on the same calls and on the same goals that we need in this geopolitically turbulent world.

Madam President, yesterday there was discussion on the recent floods in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where there were lost more than 20 lives, and many, many wounded. People are still searching for the dead people in Herzegovina, and in Bosnia the destruction is incredible. Unfortunately, my colleagues in this room didn't dare to listen and to have a minute of silence. So I invite you all to pay respect to the victims and to hold a minute of silence for all the victims of the recent floods in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Madam President, Europe has long prided itself on being a beacon of tolerance and diversity, at least the side that was not under communism, where priests and cardinals and other religious leaders were persecuted and put in jail and persecuted for their religion and belief. My great uncle, a bishop of Mostar, was for ten years in prison because he didn't want to separate from Holy See, from Vatican. Christians historically shaped much of Europe's cultural heritage, and they're facing increasing hostility. In 2023, a total of 800 anti-Christian crimes were recorded in Europe. At the same time, antisemitism is emerging its ugly head once more stronger than ever since the terrorist attack on 7 October. Jewish communities, who have already endured centuries of persecution, are targets of violence and discrimination, with hateful rhetoric being on the rise online and public spaces. Europe is not just in a crisis of religious freedom, but under direct threat to the core values of our European identity: respect, tolerance and human dignity. We must stand united against all forms of hatred, whether they are targeting Christians, Jews, Muslims or any other religious group. By fostering dialogue, educating against prejudice, and strengthening legal protections, we can combat this dangerous trend and ensure that Europe remains a place where all faiths can co-exist in peace. The EPP has given me the honour, together with Mr Meimarakis, to chair the only working group in European Parliament dedicated to this issue. The EPP Working Group on Intercultural and Religious Dialogue will continue its fight for it. And thank you, Mr Schinas, for helping us in the past to spread this message throughout the world.

Dear Chairman, the unprecedented catastrophic floods that hit Jablanica, Konjic, Kiseljak, Kreševo and Fojnica on October 3rd claimed at least 20 lives, while many are still being sought. The population of these municipalities was urgently evacuated last night due to renewed threats of flooding. As Bosnia and Herzegovina's largest partner, it is our duty to mobilise all available resources to enable the urgent delivery of much-needed assistance. I welcome the European Commission's decision to activate the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism and provide immediate assistance to people on the ground. Twelve Member States have offered assistance to Bosnia and Herzegovina through the Civil Protection Mechanism. I also welcome the European Union's assistance through Copernicus to help local authorities assess the damage caused by floods. These efforts of solidarity and assistance are essential to rehabilitate access routes and locate missing persons as soon as possible. I thank the Government of Andrej Plenković who immediately made the decision to donate EUR 10 million and thus proved once again to be truly the greatest friend of Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, Bosnia and Herzegovina still needs our urgent and immediate assistance. I call for the mobilisation of the European Solidarity Fund, which, in addition to Member States, has already been used for candidate countries, and the provision of long-term financial support, together with the redirection of funds from the IPA III fund to provide urgent assistance in repairing the consequences of floods. Bosnia and Herzegovina, as our partner country, must have access to these funds to enable rapid response, reconstruction of infrastructure and assistance to the most vulnerable. And finally, I ask the politicians in Bosnia and Herzegovina to show solidarity at all levels of government and to urgently unblock the process of agreeing the necessary decisions to put forward the reform agenda needed by the European Commission to activate the EUR 1 billion growth plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina. How many more victims does it take to show a good will to compromise?

Mr President, Alto Representante, as yesterday marked the sombre anniversary of the 7 October attacks, the past few days have seen an alarming and unprecedented escalation of the ongoing conflict. In this context, Iran's aggression against Israel must be met with firm and unequivocal condemnation. This action threatens to spark widespread conflict across the region. It is imperative that Iran and Hezbollah cease their hostilities immediately. The European Union must continue working towards achieving a ceasefire and ensure the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which mandates Hezbollah's withdrawal from southern Lebanon. The intensification of violence also raises important questions about the EU's role in fostering stability in the region and highlights areas where its approach can be improved. While the EU has deployed mechanisms such as election observation missions in the region, including the one conducted in Lebanon in 2022, it must ensure that these tools are used consistently and effectively to support lasting peace. Lebanon, for example, has remained without a president since 2022 despite the electoral observation missions and our involvement, Mr High Representative, raising concerns about the real impact of these initiatives. This situation also affects how local populations view the European Union's commitment. Indeed, some Lebanese, particularly within the Christian community, feel abandoned by the European Union. It is crucial that the people of the Middle East retain faith in the European Union's ability to provide consistent and meaningful support for regional stability. Without such assurance, terrorist organisations like Hezbollah will continue to exploit instability, spreading hatred and chaos throughout the region.

Madam President, until last week, I was in Jordan for the election observation mission. I can tell you that no country is better place to gauge the consequences of the war between Israel and Hamas. Over there, the risk of spill-over into the region is palpable. The refugee situation is a striking example. Jordan is still hosting almost 1.2 million Syrian refugees, and the current displacement of Palestinians could destabilise the country and the region as a whole. Not to mention the fact that the refugees are already facing a funding crisis. Similarly, the growing instability in Lebanon, which hosts 1.5 million of the 6 million Syrian refugees, has led many of these refugees to try to reach Cyprus, raising the risk of further tragedies as they cross the Mediterranean Sea. This comes in addition to the arms smuggling and drug trafficking routes crossing the border between Jordan and Syria, which threatens border security. There is therefore an urgent need to restore stability to the region, which can only be achieved through a peace agreement, including the unconditional release of the hostages. Only in this way, we will be able to build the lasting political solution, that is to say, the two-state solution.

Dear Chairman, enlargement is without a doubt the most successful policy of the European Union that ensures our stability and security. Guided by past successes, I believe there is no need to change the decision-making mechanisms in the European Council as proposed by the Commission Communication on pre-enlargement reforms and policy reviews. Unanimity as a mechanism that allows less influential Member States to actively participate in shaping the policies and initiatives of the European Union is extremely important for the Republic of Croatia. From our previous experiences in other state communities where we were outvoted, where we were threatened, where we were attacked, we learned in the hard way that we must always insist that our interests and concerns are taken into account. Do not underestimate the importance of the fight for democracy. Croatia will never again allow someone else to decide on her behalf.

Mr President, congratulations for your birthday today. My birthday is next week and Ursula von der Leyen gave me the best news by saying that Bosnia and Herzegovina will open negotiations agreement. So thank you, Ursula, our candidate who is leading European Union through these volatile times. Thank you, Andrej Plenković, for leading Team Europe with Mark Rutte and Ursula von der Leyen to Sarajevo in order to explain how important for peace and security Bosnia and Herzegovina is. Thank you, Borjana Krišto, for arranging these historical changes in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the last seven months, like they’ve never been in the last 10 years. It means when Croats lead the Council of Ministers and when we have a member of the presidency – hopefully, we will have one soon with changes of electoral law reform – that Bosnia and Herzegovina will be a beacon of stability in the Western Balkans. And it should be the first country to enter the European Union because Bosnia and Herzegovina is the bridge in the Western Balkans – a bridge that started after a difficult war, that people have endured the troubles, and it will be the bridge that will stop Russia, will stop all the other malign influences in the Western Balkans, and it will mean peace and security for our borders.

That is why, at the beginning of my speech, I said that I was not sure in which language I was going to speak, because you are lost in interpreting my speech. I say that the diaspora helped to build modern Chile today, at a time when Croats were not in the same position, like the Italians you may now represent, when Croatian agriculture in Dalmatia suffered severely from imports. I must not change my words, and you can look for the transcript of my speech.

Mr President, it’s very difficult to choose the language here because I’m talking to a Croatian diaspora who built Chile end of 19th century when Croats were not so competitive, and their agriculture and Dalmatia was suffering under high influence of import from Austro-Hungarian and Italian wine. And they couldn’t also adopt their shipyard. So, they have to go to look for another paradise and to work, and they went to Chile. They built Chile, they built wine industry and now they’re coming back. They’re coming back because they built this excellent country. That is a perfect example of how we should build our future relationship with someone who was chased from Europe at the time they were not competitive. So, thank you very much, Commissioner. Thank you for doing this after New Zealand to have and to build the bridges. And thank you, Gabriel Mato, for including our amendment that recognises the key role of Croatian diaspora and of all diaspora that was poor at the time and that the competitiveness was not a tool that we could have used, that we are using nowadays in order to have an equal position in the joint market. So let’s not be selfish, let’s vote for this agreement and let’s also provide the historical chance to allow everyone to be competitive and to have a like-minded partner in the future alliances that we need. (The speaker agrees to take a blue-card question)

Dear Chairman, First of all, I would like to congratulate rapporteur David McAllister on the excellent report covering all aspects of foreign and security policy, which was extremely challenging in the previous year. The war in Ukraine, the pogrom of Jews and the hostage crisis in the Middle East, geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific and growing tensions in the Western Balkans are all challenges for our borders and internal stability, as well as the security of European citizens. Let me also thank the rapporteur for including my amendment, essential for peace and security, which includes the importance of the principle of separation of powers in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as the government was agreed for Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland, through a fair electoral law that respects judgments of the Constitutional Court, the only body interpreting the Dayton-Paris Peace Agreement on legitimate representation, and judgments of international courts. A report on preventive diplomacy was recently adopted. These amendments are also included in this report on the Common Foreign and Security Policy, where the international community is asked to reflect on lessons learned, not to quell conflicts, but to prevent them.

Mr President, as a standing rapporteur for Azerbaijan, I welcome continued engagement between Armenia and Azerbaijan to reach an agreement on the landmark peace treaty that would end decade-long conflict and bring peace and stability to the South Caucasus. The recent agreement on the exchange of prisoners, bilateral meetings held in Munich, and the upcoming peace talks in Berlin are steps in the right direction to normalise relations. But the key to a peace agreement lies in negotiations under the auspices of multilateral bodies that can help, and with our help and help from our transatlantic partners, act as an honest broker in this process. Now, it is important that we insist that both sides respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and are deterred from aggressive rhetoric and provocation that could destabilise the region. The agreement on the delimitation of borders is an important aim to achieve during this process in order to put these issues behind us. We call on Azerbaijan to refrain from any unilateral actions and allow the presence of international European monitoring missions from its side of the border. The EU monitoring mission to Armenia today plays a strong role in that regard and I welcome the recent increase in the number of EU observers in the country. I also welcome the conclusions of the EU-Armenia Partnership Council that show that our relations are developing on a positive track. Armenia has our continued support and we respect its strategic choices about its future.

Dear Chairman! The coronavirus pandemic, Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and the energy crisis have left a profound mark on our economy, in particular on the rise in food prices, which we must continue to fight persistently and vigorously against. Croatia can serve as an example in this fight to other EU member states, since our government, led by Prime Minister Plenković, is recording one of the best, fastest recoveries after the pandemic in the past four years. The adoption of an effective package of measures and assistance worth over EUR 7.2 billion that the Government used to protect the economy and limit the rise in food prices was a state move in these times of crisis. Unfortunately, we are still seeing an increase in harmful trading practices and we are witnessing attempts to profit from unsubstantiated increases in food prices in the midst of inflation. That is why we are working to ensure a competitive Europe that drives economic growth, creates quality jobs and strengthens prosperity and social justice for all its citizens.

Dear Chair, Honourable Commissioner, I welcome the recent adoption of a comprehensive agreement on a new Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and New Zealand that will bring mutual benefits in trade and investment. New Zealand is our key partner in the Indo-Pacific with which we share strong historical, cultural and economic ties. I am proud to point out that more than a hundred thousand descendants of European immigrants, especially Croatians who founded the wine industry, have played a key role in shaping the economy and society of New Zealand over the years. That is why this Agreement is important, as is the agreement with Chile, where the diaspora played a key moment. And we have included this in this Agreement as one bridge builderbetween our continents. I am delighted to have been able to negotiate this act on behalf of the Group of the European People's Party due to the fact that New Zealand shows how important it is for Europe to rise above closures for major trading partners and to open up to like-minded people and those who share the same values. I underline the importance of the existing security cooperation between the European Union and New Zealand, in particular in relation to operations and missions in the European Union’s common foreign and defence policy. Equally, New Zealand’s support for Ukraine, including the provision of assistance and the imposition of sanctions against Russia, demonstrates our shared commitment to justice and the international order. Finally, I would like to confirm my colleague Ehler's commitment to the need for transparency in our cooperation, with regard to Horizon, and this will be a milestone that will have a significant impact on the progress of relations with the European Union. And I thank the Commissioner for her commitment to show this transparency and the Commission’s openness to Parliament as soon as possible.

Dear Chairman, Vice-President Schinas, we are here discussing antisemitism and anti-Muslim sentiment. What will you say to the situation in Mostar, where students of the Croatian university were forced, because of the propaganda of using the Old Bridge and the poster that did not have enough minarets to satisfy the other side, they had to cancel the summer school of international politics? One university and young people live in fear of propaganda that makes them feel threatened in their city, in their midst. And that they feel threatened, that they can not use the image of the object, means the bridge that is inscribed on the list of world heritage. I also enrolled it in 2005 as a symbol of reconciliation of three peoples, three cultures, reconciliation that was supposed to bring peace and reconciliation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. What will you say to Željko Komšić who attacks the Israeli ambassador and calls her a fool because he asks him to mourn all the missing and all the murdered young people in the attack that took place on October 7th?

The discovery of Russian interference in our democratic processes, unfortunately, is no surprise. We have already had an organized trade in influence, which originated in a group of socialists and under the famous name QatarGate, has put us in an awkward position to defend the reputation of the Parliament. We are now facing a former member of the Greens Club, who, along with some well-known members of the far left, used this house to destabilize European unity through Russian propaganda. Dear colleagues, I speak to you as a witness to the era of communism, the propaganda of that totalitarianism is like a poisonous snake. That is why, throughout my work, I continuously call for the opening of the archives of UDBA and KOS, crucial to the historical truth of the former Yugoslavia, which someone is still glorifying, in order to finally shed light on this dark age of history. It is time to confront and recognize everything that makes us vulnerable to manipulations by the greatest living communist dictator Putin, who skillfully plays as puppets with all activists of ideology, which still leaves millions of victims today. That's what Stalin would have envied him about. People may be able to buy themselves, but the truth is not for sale. The path to it is thorny, but it is the only path that leads to peace in this world.