Speeches

The Honourable Chair, the Honourable Commissioner, our colleagues, we expect a proposal in a week to show if Europe has the strength to act as a serious community. The stakes are high and the ball is now with the Commission. Parliament's position is quite clear and quite simple and we know what to expect. In Croatia, as in other, most other Member States, European funds are a key investment driver. For this reason, it is essential that in cohesion policy local and regional communities remain involved, remain central, and not that European funds become just a collection of national plans under excessive centralisation by the Commission. We need new own resources, but also without burdens for families, for citizens, for businesses, as one of the imperatives is also to reduce bureaucratic burdens for end-users.

I don't think it's benevolent, actually, your question. What we can certainly say is that Ukraine, which is also fighting for its existence, but which is fighting for its people and for European values, has an ambition to join the European Union. When and how this will happen is not easy to answer, it will not happen overnight in any case. However, what exists as an ambition I think we should respect and on our part that we must do order in the enlargement policy as well. And in this sense, we need to do everything we can to help a country now in a state of war, and we hope that one day our colleagues will come here from Ukraine as well.

Dear Chairman, colleagues, Russian influence, Chinese investments and anti-European regional actors who do not share our European values strengthen their presence precisely where Europe hesitates. The credibility of European enlargement policy is built precisely through a stronger partnership with countries and actors who share the aspiration towards a common future, but also through stronger policies towards those who undermine Europe and who undermine European values. In this context, the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans certainly represents an opportunity for deeper integration and concrete change, but without a clear political message, without a clear aspiration and seeking a clear commitment, it will remain only a framework without content. North Macedonia, a country that, despite the Commission's multiple recommendations, is still waiting for negotiations to begin, is an example of political injustice that also undermines faith in the European project. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, separatist messages, separatist policies on the one hand, but also unrealistic unitarist ambitions on the other, are exhausted. Montenegro is fighting for its European and pro-Western orientation. Naively and in this debate sound illusions that overvoting within the European Union will lead to greater unity. This is not possible, it is counterproductive not only for smaller and medium-sized Member States, but also for the whole of Europe. This is why we need to be clear, we need to be present, but we also need to work together to take all positions into account.

Dear Chair, the idea contained in this report of a targeted 18-month extension for those projects that are mature, objectively able to be implemented on time should be supported. I do not think that European funds can be an end in themselves and that in this way we can prevent, as I said, that on the one hand these funds do not remain unused, but on the other hand, what can be even worse, to be, and what is currently, unfortunately, happening, to be used quickly and inefficiently. That's why I support this 18-month extension.

With all its shortcomings and challenges, the Recovery and Resilience Facility has proven to be a historic response to both the real test of European solidarity and one of the greatest crises of our time. Deeper economic fragmentation between Member States has been prevented and a common instrument has enabled unprecedented investments, with concrete reforms that strengthen the resilience and competitiveness of our economy. At the same time, the added value and real effects of this instrument are yet to be fully seen over time. Many projects are still under implementation and some of them risk remaining unfinished. The key question is no longer just how much we will be able to use, but also how. How smart, purposeful and long-term impact each euro will be for our society and economy. Therefore, it is also reasonable to consider a targeted 18-month extension of the deadline for the implementation of those projects that have already started but which, due to objective circumstances, will not be able to be completed within the set deadlines. With this approach, we prevent funds from remaining unused or, worse, from being used quickly rather than efficiently. Croatia, both per capita and per capita, is among the most successful. This I think is not a coincidence, but this mechanism in any case gives momentum in Croatia, but also at the national level and therefore we need to draw good lessons from it.

Dear President, Commissioner, colleagues, in a world where the ruthless logic of geopolitics returns and security is no longer guaranteed, Europe needs a long-term budget that fits the new reality – politically ambitious, fair, but also financially sustainable. Through technically complex Excel tables and figures, the key political decisions on the essence of what Europe is today will actually be ahead of us: a test of Europe's ability to take greater responsibility for our defence, for long-term competitiveness, for sustainable growth and strategic autonomy, especially in key sectors and critical technologies. At the same time, experience proves that cohesion cannot be understood as charity, but that it is a strategic investment in development and modernization, thanks to which Croatia today is rapidly catching up with the more developed parts of Europe. For this reason, balanced development is necessarily a central pillar of the European budget, with the imperative of simplifying rules and taking into account national and local specificities. Congratulations to the rapporteurs on their work with a clear message that the Parliament must play a full role in the design and scrutiny of the budget and I call on the Commission to take Parliament’s proposals into account. And I wish us all success in this important, if not most important, job of the mandate.

The past few years have been marred by postmodern illusions. Peace and security in Europe are no longer taken for granted, and free trade is no longer seen as a magic wand for liberal democracy. Real politics, sometimes brutal, is just beginning to write new rules. At the same time, history teaches us that protectionism has never led any nation to prosperity because tariffs harm everyone. Today, the world is changing faster than European reflections. If Europe is to remain relevant, it must be neither naive nor sluggish. Despite the difficulties, we have trade and economic strength, the potential of 450 million people. We need a profound mental change now. Less choreography and more concrete results in reducing administrative burden, smarter defence investments, partnerships with third countries in preventing irregular migration, as well as a common capital market. No excuses, no waiting, no illusions.

Mr President, dear Commissioner Serafin, dear colleagues, the annual budget for the next year is one of the final budgets in the multiannual financial framework. With limited fiscal space, it is necessary, therefore, to set clear priorities. Among them, in the face of the deep growing geopolitical threats, must be the need to strengthen European defence and security policies, stronger investments in strategic capacities and Europe's ability to respond to crises. In addition, it is crucial to ensure continued support for an effective migration policy and the protection of our external borders. At the same time, we need to invest in productivity and competitiveness so that Europe remains a global leader, but also a safe and prosperous home for its citizens. In this context, but also in the context of the negotiations on the MFF, the adoption of the guidelines carries significant political weight. In recent years, unfortunately, the Parliament did not always adopt its own guidelines. We all have, therefore, the responsibility not to allow such a signal of weakness to be repeated. I welcome the proposal on the budgetary guidelines by Andrzej Halicki, our rapporteur, and I really welcome this responsible approach and hope that we will continue like this also with the vote this week.

Dear Chairman, there is no other country closer to the Croatian people than Bosnia and Herzegovina. Therefore, it hurts to see that three decades from Dayton, three decades from Srebrenica, three decades from the joint victory over the Greater Serbia criminal project of BiH is in the deepest political and security crisis. Those who play irresponsibly with fragile peace today, now and with the beginning of some kind of constitutional change, are leading the country to a dangerous edge. However, the crisis that arose did not happen overnight. For years, the unique formula of one state, two entities, but also three constituent peoples from different sides has been broken down. However, it has hardly any more malign influence than the concept of the so-called Serbian world, which denies the sovereignty and integrity of its neighbours, often with hybrid action, disinformation and the falsification of history. In these crucial moments, it is crucial to calm the tensions, but also to be prepared for all scenarios. Europe cannot and cannot stand by.

Almost half a million people each year get a decision to leave European territory, but only one in five actually does. Tolerating such a completely dysfunctional and grotesque model rightly undermines Europeans' trust in the system, attracts irregular migration, and the tragic attacks of men who did not have the right to be in Europe also highlight the dire security consequences of such rotten policies. Without effective returns, voluntary but also forced, the whole migration and asylum system loses all meaning. Therefore, an expulsion decision, a decision not to grant asylum, must have concrete consequences if we want the rule of law and Europe, its rules and its borders are never taken frivolously again. The introduction of stricter rules, innovative ideas and even deportation centres outside Europe will reward the Pact on Migration and Asylum that needs to be put in place and will bring more order to Europe's borders. Now its implementation must therefore be a priority, as without an effective migration policy, including an effective return policy, there is no credible Europe.

Dear Chair, Commissioner Kos, colleagues, this week we have the opportunity to approve the establishment of the Reform and Growth Facility for Moldova, an important step in the Europeanisation and modernisation of the country. This fund, worth almost 1.9 billion euros, will encourage Moldova to implement the necessary reforms, strengthen institutions and accelerate integration into European, economic and political flows by closely linking investments with reforms, similarly to the growth plan for the so-called Western Balkans. Increased pre-financing and additional grants will ensure not only that the country withstands the current challenges, but also makes concrete progress on its European path. Investing in security, in democracy and in the stability of our neighbourhood is investing in a safer and more prosperous Europe for all of us. I congratulate the rapporteurs Siegfried Mureşan and Sven Mikser on their efforts and on the successful conclusion of the negotiations.

Dear Chair, Commissioner, colleagues, this Parliament is not the same as it was before the elections. Circumstances are far from those five years ago. The world is far more dangerous, economically insecure and politically unstable. Therefore, the Commission cannot proceed with the old established forms either. It's time for determination, it's time for new dynamics in work and tangible results. The Commission Work Programme is a key roadmap for Europe this year. The focus is clear: security, reduction of bureaucratic burden, competitiveness and responsibility for policies to monitor real life. But the task is not just to plan, it is the task and the task of all of us to deliver. Eight months after the elections, Europe does not have time to fold, Europe does not have time for lamentations. Businesses and citizens are being stifled by high costs and bureaucratic nonsense. If we want a stronger Europe, we need to relieve those who create value. This also means less dogmatism in green policies, faster permits for industrial projects, and rules that help rather than hinder. As the communication also says about the Multiannual Financial Framework, status quo It just isn't and can't be an option. This plan gives a good direction, but success will be measured by only one question: whether European people, entrepreneurs, craftsmen and innovators will feel an improvement in their daily lives, economic growth, lower energy costs and a better standard of living. The time for warm-up is over. Now it's time for action.

The difficult demographic winter is one of the key European issues and, unfortunately, has long been one of the most neglected. I warned of the demographic decline, and to be honest about it, of the geographically uneven demographic decline – for years. It was difficult to put this topic on the agenda, even here in the European Parliament, and that is why it is good that we have this open debate today, and that is why it is also good that Commissioner Šuica continues with the pioneering endeavour of establishing the foundations of European demographic policy. What does the European Union have to do with it? Well, among other things, or above all, the working-age population of the European Union has decreased by almost 10 million in the past 15 years, and is expected to decline further. Depopulation, an ageing population, the emigration of young people and the uneven development of regions therefore call for comprehensive public policies and an even more assertive response. Demographic recovery means more than that – changing culture with the family at the heart of our work, with a focus on the irreplaceable role of parents. The burden of raising a child today falls almost exclusively on them, although the whole society has immeasurable benefits from children, new members of the community. That is why, ladies and gentlemen, it is clear that everyone decides on their own how many children they will have. It is also clear that migration can help demographic trends in the short term, but without a higher birth rate, it will not be possible to reverse negative demographic trends. This cannot be a forbidden topic and thesis here in the European Parliament. It is not and cannot be hate speech, but it is a fact that we must take into account if we want a serious debate.

The Honourable President, the Honourable President of the Council, the President of the Parliament, the Commissioner, the eyes of the world this week, understandably, are focused on Washington and the inauguration of the new old President Trump. The political moment, the signals we see, must make us fully aware. If we do not snap, Europe will continue to sink into the labyrinth of its own growing bureaucracy. The geopolitical game is getting tougher. The European security, energy, foreign and migration policies therefore require additional seriousness and accountability. The new reality requires a strategic approach, more decisive action around the world, but even more so, it's important here, at home. This means first and foremost a reduction in bureaucratic burden, smarter and more investment in defence, but also readiness for hybrid threats. There must be a clear year ahead of us from “business as usual" approach, a clear year away from previous mistakes, but also a clear and strong year of bold policies that will lead to a more competitive, secure and stronger European Union.

The Honourable Chair, Colleagues, South-Eastern Europe is without any doubt an area of key strategic importance for the European Union, as well as an area of enormous untapped potential. The global turmoil and escalation of the conflict further underline the geopolitical importance of the region. The European Union is by far the key and largest trading partner for the six countries of the so-called Western Balkans. This is why faster economic and energy integration is also important, as well as the large-scale Investment Reform Package Growth Plan. That is why it is important, crucial, that Bosnia and Herzegovina also receive a reform agenda as soon as possible. More important than all this, however, is a clear civilizational commitment to Europe and to the West. Today, unfortunately, as we have heard in this discussion, this is not always the case. The growth plan has given a new momentum to enlargement, but the process must remain firmly based on clear European rules and a civilizational commitment to Europe.

Dear Chairwoman, colleagues, in a never faster global transformation, when events that once took decades to take place in weeks, we are at the beginning of a new chapter. The first meeting of the European Council comes with the new President and with the new European Commission. In just a few weeks, the criminal Assad regime in Syria has fallen, the war in Ukraine has entered a new, even more dangerous phase, and economic, hybrid and geopolitical pressure on Europe continues to increase. However, there is nothing inevitable in the stagnation of Europe. Europe's position in a new, increasingly dangerous world depends primarily on European action. About the strength of our economy, more and smarter investment in defence and capital market integration. The difficult choices that will prioritise common sense policies and focus on competitiveness, as also pointed out in the Draghi report. On accelerating returns, concluding smart strategic partnerships on migration with both Jordan and Morocco, as announced these days. Also, on accelerating the integration of the six countries of the so-called Western Balkans through the Growth Plan, a large investment-reform package, but also on the basis of merit and compliance with European rules of the game.

Dear President, Dear President of the Commission, colleagues, Europe does not have time for lamentations, Europe does not have time to waste. To ensure peace, prosperity and prosperity, it will have to be stronger and more dynamic than today. We have a duty to make and implement difficult decisions, especially around our budget. Greater and smarter investments in defence and security, including border security, reduce the regulatory burden, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises, increase competitiveness and productivity, face a difficult demographic winter through the digital sector and accelerate the enlargement process and develop partnerships through cohesion policy, especially in the Mediterranean, for which Croatian Commissioner Šuica will be in charge. At a crucial moment for our continent, we have a duty to be at the level of the task, a duty to the voters, but also to future generations, to ensure that after the elections everything goes back to the way it was, a duty to believe in our own strength and common sense policies that have elevated Europe into one of the world's powers. Thank you and good luck on that journey!

Dear Chair, Europe is not ready mentally, let alone in terms of real capacity for the new reality of an increasingly dangerous world. Global rivals, and sometimes our partners, view us more and more with a dose of ridicule as a sluggish, weakened force lost in pointless bureaucratic games. And these guidelines, as well as the reports of Draghi and Letta, point us to the root changes and the focus on foundations, on security. Europe is becoming aware of the risks of military confrontation, as well as a wide range of increasingly serious and dangerous hybrid, cyber and other threats. We are becoming aware that if we want to ensure peace, we will have to be stronger than we are today. Being aware of this on a conceptual level, however, will not be enough. We need actions now. To curb unnecessary regulation that stifles the economy, to increase energy independence, to invest more and smarter in security and defence.

Dear President, Dear Commissioner, colleagues, much of Europe's credibility on the issue of migration will depend on our ability to give our, European, Croatian people a stronger sense of security around our common goal of ensuring safe borders, for which, above all, it is certainly necessary to increase capacity at the European level, at the national level, but also better coordination between Member States. The European Border and Coast Guard Frontex needs to increase its human resources, triple its human resources, so that it can offer more on this cross-party common sense issue. More European solutions, more and common, better protection of our external borders. That is why I call on the left-wing groups here in the European Parliament, both those from socialists and greens, and also those coming from Croatia, to support such initiatives, as opposed to actions in the past mandate, as opposed to undermining the agency, as opposed to undermining the fight to prevent human trafficking, illegal migration, to support the increase of Frontex's capacity, but also to understand that European security starts at our borders.

Dear President, while the third winter of war is approaching in the immediate vicinity of Hungary, it is clear to everyone more seriously that this is not the time for rhetorical-ideological competitions and politicization, but for sober consideration of geopolitical circumstances, taking responsibility and actions. Whoever thinks that peace can be secured by indulgence and concealment aids anticivilization aggression. Europe’s security and energy architecture has been tectonically altered. Europe has surprisingly quickly diversified its energy sources, moving away from dependence on fossil fuels from Russia. Hungary, on the other hand, is still deeply dependent on Russian energy sources, as one of the few Member States that enjoys exceptions regarding the import of Russian fossil fuels, but with a clear assumption that alternative sources must be found. A simple and reasonable solution is the Adriatic oil pipeline and LNG terminal on the island of Krk, a new regional energy hub with the potential to further strengthen the energy independence of our immediate neighbourhood. So what are the steps Hungary is taking to reduce its dependence on Russian energy sources and how is avoiding the supply of alternative routes, including through Croatia, in line with the goal of achieving a real, secure Energy Union?

Dear Chair, Commissioner, colleagues, Europe has less and less time each day to reverse dramatically bad trends, especially in three key areas where it needs to wake up urgently. Above all, we need more economic development, more production, more innovation, more investment, as opposed to anti-development policies of growing up or deindustrialization. We need more competitiveness in accessing capital, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises, adapting to the new digital environment and above all also productivity growth. Second, Draghi's report also recognises the strong impact of population developments on economic growth, on economic developments. It is impossible to close our eyes more to the population collapse that threatens the whole of Europe and in this context we need more complementary support for both parents and families, both at national and regional level, but also in a clear European context. Third, we need more security, as opposed to different relativizations of security threats, including uncontrolled migration movements, but also as opposed to sad calculations, standing aside or equalizing aggressors and victims, as, unfortunately, we are increasingly hearing here in the European Parliament, but also in Croatia in the context of the difficult war in Ukraine. European civilization today fights not only with speeches, not only with words, but above all with deeds.

Dear Chair, colleagues, respected police officers, Europe is one of the best and safest places to live in the world. If we want it to remain that way for future generations, we need to take the serious threats to our internal security posed by organised crime as seriously as possible. According to a Europol report this year, over 800 criminal networks involving more than 25 000 members have been identified. These are highly specialised networks ranging from drug smugglers to traffickers operating in multiple countries posing a significant threat to Europe's internal security. The effective fight against crime also requires adequate resources, focusing primarily on our security authorities at European level, such as Europol and Eurojust, but also at national level. Fighting crime costs money and our police and judicial authorities must always be able to respond to all threats. In addition, we need the greatest possible cooperation between Member States as well as third countries in our immediate neighbourhood, especially in the south-east of Europe. Crime knows no borders and therefore it is completely unacceptable for criminal organised networks to cooperate better than the police. We must make every effort to build the capacity of candidate countries and support their efforts to combat this threat. Strengthen all European tools that help us fight terrorism and cross-border crime, such as the European Arrest Warrant, and enable faster and more efficient exchange of operational information. Ladies and gentlemen, Europe must remain the safest place to live in the world.

Dear Chair, Dear Commissioners, colleagues, the new digital tools have fundamentally changed our daily lives. While online platforms bring extraordinary opportunities to improve our lives, economies and even democracies, they also bring new dangers. The Digital Services Act is one of the most significant attempts to bring order and modernise European policy in the digital world. With this, we strive to make the network space safer for users and platforms operating in the common market have gained greater legal certainty, as well as the necessary responsibility. We now need to ensure good application of the new rules, in partnership with all key stakeholders. Deep processes of social and digital transformation go beyond Europe’s borders. With the new rules, Europe is showing that it can take the lead in building a society where the well-being of people is at its core. We cannot and cannot choose between the fundamental rights of citizens, freedom of speech, freedom of expression, the right of access to information and the advancement of the digital economy, but we can and must achieve all these valuable goals. Colleagues, that is why I think that there is no dilemma that today in Europe, despite a complete digital and technological revolution, it is possible to strive to continue to achieve what we are striving for with the DSA, an even more democratic, even more plural society that will be adapted to the new challenges of the time.

Dear Chair, European solidarity towards refugees and asylum seekers stems from the consistent application of our fundamental values. Too often, however, the inefficiencies and chaos associated with our European migration and asylum system, and we see integration, are becoming our growing weakness. That is why we have a political and human duty to take such Islamist terrorist attacks seriously, not to ignore, not to diminish. Potential perpetrators of similar attacks must be detected and deported in a timely manner and not unnoticed years after being denied asylum. That is why, in April of this year, we adopted new, stronger European rules that need to bring order and security to the asylum and immigration system. Europe now needs to be united, committed and persistent to implement such rules as quickly as possible, clearly and with adequate financial resources, so that such tragic cases do not happen again.