Speeches

Dear Chair, Commissioners, colleagues, pandemic uncertainty, pandemic closures, online education, declining employment prospects, independence, but also family formation, have affected our generation, a generation of young people, in the past two years, as few generations have in recent decades. That is why all the policies and programmes that we are deciding on here in the European Parliament must prevent the opening up and creation of some new and lost generations and underline the clear message that a Europe without young people is simply impossible to recover. Digital transformation is dramatically changing the way we all, especially young people, communicate, do business and live, and this is certainly a challenge, but it is also an opportunity. I convinced myself of this by visiting various successful entrepreneurial stories, but also different parts of Croatia, places like Lipik and Novska. Because digital transformation is an opportunity, an opportunity to offer a new way of learning, an opportunity for quality jobs of the future. Youth innovation and creativity must come to the fore by removing administrative barriers and opening up space for young people across Europe to shape their future – the future in all parts of the European Union – independently and ready.

Dear President, colleagues, the wide digitalisation of business and social life certainly opens up new opportunities, but also opens up a whole range of social and legal issues that have been largely ignored so far. How to regulate rules on digital services, platform abuses, illegal content, content-recommending algorithms or targeted advertising? The priority of the digital transformation must be to protect the rights of European citizens and consumers, as well as legal certainty. In this context, the Digital Services Act is one of the key instruments. We are facing an attempt to modernise Europe's digital policy the most. The network space should thus be safer and platforms operating in the common market should have greater legal certainty. The Regulation brings more effective removal of illegal content on networks as well as preventing the dissemination of harmful content without censorship, which will ensure a better user experience and protection of the most vulnerable. Personalised advertising, which is important for thousands of SMEs, will not be banned for their day-to-day business but strengthened by additional transparency requirements. It is also important that we have exemptions for micro and small enterprises, as this is intended to ease the regulatory and administrative burden for those who do not pose a serious risk to the security of the digital world. It is clear that with these rules we will not be able to solve all the challenges posed by the new digital age, but it is also clear that we are sending a clear message that everything that is illegal in the analogue world is equally illegal (speaking interrupted). ...not for the movie Thin Courses she said a heart minute a few miles. The situation in high schools and Žkk decoration and Marijana Dujić's package of services from which she was filmed is one of the most important and range of genres of films Nikša Parliament Europa and the regulation of taxi drivers Duje Ship Corrosion. A perfect Master when you've tried both foreign and someone is here without interfering with gender and the internet of everything. I hope descriptions America Europe drinks Ltd global Eros frogs and pretensions catalog wealth in our Internet already there not goodbye but the scent of the candle Afar in the pit everywhere on one face. Europe sparks with this context our obligation will establish a solution for the airline bar borrowing platforms online. The ISS is not frozen there but at dawn about recognizing the dispute.

Dear Chair, colleagues, the positive effects of the Recovery and Resilience Facility are slowly but surely already being seen on the economy of the European Union and the Member States. For example, Croatia received the first payment of €818 million as part of a record allocation focused on recovery and the digital and green transitions. The national recovery and resilience plan supports the reforms needed by Croatia and supports preparations for the adoption of the euro as the official currency. One of the indicators of positive economic developments is the fact that we are predicted to be one of the three fastest growing European economies in the next two years, as well as the historically most favourable credit rating recently assigned to the youngest member state of the European Union. Croatia is facing a year of positive changes, preparations for the introduction of the euro and entry into Schengen. This is largely possible because of the Recovery and Resilience Facility. Here in Parliament, we need to support such success stories, but also ensure accountability, oversight and meaningful spending of taxpayers’ funds. Parliament must fully fulfil its budgetary role, its supervisory role, protect the rule of law and ensure that funds reach where they are most needed and where it will make the biggest difference in reducing economic disparities between Member States.

Dear President, Ladies and Gentlemen, Christmas is an indelible part of European heritage and culture. With the tradition of celebrating two millennia, Christmas on our continent has become far more than a religious holiday. Centuries and centuries of Christian culture have shaped Europe with Christian ideas and values that are at the core of European civilization, even when we are not aware of it ourselves. We must not be ashamed of such an identity and rich tradition, but on the contrary, we must be proud of it. That is why there are absurd proposals to avoid the mention of Christmas itself, to erase it or to rename it in some way as a holiday period. Christmas has built itself into the heart of our continent, reminding us to pause, to open our hearts to our neighbours, especially today in a time of great social crisis. Congratulations on Christmas in 2021 means to wish the person opposite us all the best and that is why deleting, avoiding congratulations on Christmas for the sake of pale and fleeting social experiments would be giving up Europe as we know it and as we love it, as well as giving up on ourselves. I wish you a happy and blessed Christmas and every good thing.

Dear Chair, Commissioner, colleagues, organised crime groups have traditionally also been present in the Western Balkans. Oriented towards illicit profit-making where together with corruption they represent one of the greatest threats to the rule of law and prosperity for citizens. At the same time, organised crime in the countries of Southeast Europe is often also a source, or at least a transit zone, for crime in the European Union. As organised crime knows no borders, this debate is also a debate on the security of the entire European Union. Illegal markets, drug and arms trafficking, corruption at all levels and in all sectors, as well as money laundering are major manifestations of the problem. However, one must not forget the most cynical and blackest form of organised crime that has been flourishing in the south-east of Europe in recent years: smuggling and trafficking in human beings. Unfortunately, this has become one of the most profitable criminal activities, but also a means of exerting pressure on Europe's borders. The historical links between organised crime and the Yugoslav regime are also well known, but there is still a lot hidden. That is why I welcome the invitation to open all archives of the former Yugoslavia and, in particular, to allow access to the files of the former Yugoslav secret services. In all these areas, the countries of the Western Balkans need to show more, concrete results in order to make progress on the path to the European Union. We need better security cooperation, exchange of security and intelligence and stronger consideration of countries' performance in this area in the context of enlargement policy priorities. Transnational criminal organisations can no longer cooperate better than Member States.

It is high time for the whole of Europe to become aware of the worrying, dramatic and dangerous institutional crisis and instability in Bosnia and Herzegovina. State institutions are paralyzed, society is divided, and electoral engineering has made it possible for not all nations to be legitimately represented. The main generators of instability are clear and feed each other. Separatism on the one hand and Unitarism on the other. Radical centrifugal and centripetal approaches destroy the foundations of Dayton, fragile peace and coexistence. The solution must start with full respect for the equality of constituent peoples. Without an electoral reform on such grounds, there will be no functional and European Bosnia and Herzegovina. Colleagues and colleagues, half a million European citizens live in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We have a political, but we also have a human responsibility to make sure that their rights stop being shamelessly violated.

Mr President, after several months of formal and informal talks and then the very intense conciliation period, I’m really delighted that we have the Budget Act, which is the basis of the financing for all the European programmes and agencies in the next year. Over the course of this year we have echoed a number of political commitments to direct the budget towards a real, tangible instrument tailored to support businesses, regions and generations of citizens. The objective was clear: deliver a strong recovery budget in a year when it is the first time that the annual budget is significantly complemented by the Recovery Investment Plan. In this context, I would really like to thank the Parliament delegation, including the shadow rapporteurs and the negotiating team, and also the specialised committees, but also the Commission and the Council Presidency. Parliament defended its priorities and secured significant increases in key programmes. An increase of EUR 100 million for Horizon Europe will strengthen research and innovation, and support for small and medium enterprises, with a special allocation for tourism, will speed up the recovery. Reinforcement in the LIFE programme will help to achieve a sustainable and energy-efficient economy, and additional funds for Erasmus+ will provide thousands of new opportunities for young people. Increase in EU4Health will enable us to better tackle cross-border health threats, and more resources for the Asylum and Migration Fund, but also for a border and visa management instrument, will help us tackle escalating migratory challenges at our external borders. It was impossible for us to ignore other global developments such as the humanitarian crisis and the need to fight the pandemic outside of Europe as well. Reinforcements in the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) and humanitarian aid will provide necessary funds to tackle these emerging challenges. It has been evident throughout the negotiations that there will be strong pressure on the budget in the coming years because of a number of competing challenges, especially in the external dimension of EU policies. It was impossible to solve this throughout the annual budgetary procedure, as, similarly, it was impossible to commit on the financing costs of the recovery instrument in the coming years. This is something that will obviously have to be discussed next year as well. Dear colleagues, the outcome of conciliation is a clear success. There is an increase of almost EUR 500 million above the draft budget for recovery, for research, for health and for other Parliament priorities. This would really not be possible without your support and valuable input and once again I really want to thank you all for this.

Dear President, Commissioner, colleague and colleague, South-East Europe is without any doubt a region of strategic importance not only for neighbouring Member States but also for the entire European Union. For the Western Balkans, the European Union is by far the leading economic partner and the largest foreign investor. But, perhaps more importantly, any instability in the region, it is clear, would mean both crisis and instability for the entire European Union. In the area of security, it is also important to insist, with the countries of Southeast Europe, to step up their efforts to combat illegal migration, to strengthen the impermeability of their own borders and to combat illegal crossings together in Europe. This is an important part of both their and our security, but it is also an important part where they test their ability and state capacities to move closer and meet the standards of the European Union. The European Commission and Europe have the ambition to be a global geopolitical actor. We have been discussing for hours and here, in the European Parliament, the situation in the South China Sea, in Afghanistan, in Ethiopia. But I think it's clear to everyone that we can't be really globally relevant under any circumstances if we lose influence even in our closest neighbourhood. It is clear that in such a cold European attitude, other global players are not standing by and are also very active in the Western Balkans. That is why it is really a minimum of some kind of geopolitical ambition of the European Union to be really present, to prove our real influence, but also our real credibility precisely in the southeast of Europe, and only then can we try to show our other global ambitions.

The prevention of illegal migration, one of the most profitable criminal activities, but also the means of insidious pressure on Europe, is extremely demanding. And that's why tonight I start with great gratitude and recognition to all the policemen and policemen who will once again go out into the unknown and suppress organized networks of people smugglers on different terrains and weather conditions across the European border this night. At the same time, it is clear: violence against migrants has no place in an orderly Europe, and any individual violation of human rights, especially of the most vulnerable, is completely unacceptable. Colleagues and colleagues, with modernised police and without raising barbed wires, Croatia effectively fulfils its legal obligation and duty to protect the state and European borders. Responsible and legal, and in addition to independent border control, a single mechanism introduced by the first in the Union. European law establishes an unequivocal obligation of border patrols, prevention and deterrence, and the European Court of Human Rights affirms that there is no place for violations on immediate return during verse and illegal crossings. We urgently need a common European agreement where the policy of preventing irregular migration has no alternative.

Dear Chairman, dear colleagues, I didn't think to talk about it today, but I still feel obliged to start with answers to Members Sinčić and Kolakušić. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon to speak from this booth in such a way and to listen to such completely unfounded demagogic tirades from this booth as well. It just doesn't always have space, and it doesn't make too much sense to answer every time. MEPs use their mandate as they wish and I will ultimately defend their right here in the European Parliament, because I believe in freedom and because I believe in presidential democracy. At the same time, I think it is crucial once again to underline and understand that there is a really dramatic difference between these two forms of political work. So, on the one hand, performance and dedicated serious work, exhibitionism and real influence on European documents, opulent destructiveness on the one hand and attempts to find answers to some really difficult European questions. That is why the incomparable exclusivity and cooperation with those with whom you do not agree about everything, voting against the help of Member States and, on the other hand, securing a record package, but perhaps even more than anything, the inability to work together with anyone who is not convinced of some grandioseness of your character and actions, on the one hand, and seeking the right compromises for the interest of Croatian and European citizens.

Madam President, I would like to say to Minister Drmaž and Commissioner Hahn that, after carefully listening to their interventions, I am left with a positive hope and also an impression that we can find common ground in the end on the number of issues since we really share the goals. However, there are obviously still elements on which we will have to work and on which Parliament and the Council are significantly apart. I see that we all agree on the fact that the needs are increasing, that they are much higher, that this moment was anticipated, and that, for some period of time, we really have had multiple crises going on. Many of them were mentioned: COVAX, the Afghan situation, having to deal with the Syrian refugees and having to find common solutions. But we definitely need to adjust and it would be really irresponsible for us to try to ignore, and not to see, all these new and old emerging challenges that, in the end, we all agree are there. In this context, the Parliament will also propose to fully reuse the decommitments in the field of research, as the unexpectedly high amount of decommitments in the last year was not part of the MFF agreement. From our point of view, this is the amount that must not be lost, and we really do not see any good reason why we would waste this opportunity. To sum up, you heard specific emphasis by different political groups and by different specialised committees, but you also heard our one unified voice that Europe really has to invest strongly in the recovery and resilience. We can work together within this House to agree on our stance, and to focus on the future, on recovery and on investments. With this strong position, I firmly believe that the Parliament is now ready for conciliation and we are ready for that kind of discussion.

Madam President, dear Vice—President, Commissioner, colleagues, after several weeks of really intense talks, finally this week Parliament will have the opportunity to vote on our official position on the European budget for 2022. The compromise I propose today adopted at the committee level is a comprehensive package which outlines shared priorities between political groups, but also between specialised committees here in the Parliament and provides a European budget based on the actual needs of specific policy areas. I strongly believe that with this package we would manage to meet the expectations of the European citizens, which are understandably very high. Already in the guidelines, the Parliament defined clear political priorities for the budget to support the recovery, boost investments and lay the foundations for a more resilient Union, something that we have been communicating throughout the whole budgetary process. Having this in mind, we were disappointed by the Council’s proposed cuts, notably in successful Union programmes such as Horizon, Digital Europe and LIFE, at a time when we are making political declarations about the digital and green transitions. It would be a mistake also, and a great missed opportunity from the point of view of the Parliament if we didn’t fully use the decommitments under Article 15(3) of the Financial Regulation. Furthermore, the budgetary process has been, obviously, impacted by several global developments which need to be taken into account. This certainly includes the crisis in Afghanistan, as well as the European ambition in making vaccination against COVID—19 accessible globally through the COVAX programme. The key element of our position is undoubtedly the restoration of the arbitrary cuts and the reinforcement of lines that have an added value for Europeans, that have excellent implementation rates and also that have the operational capacity to absorb the additional appropriations. It is especially important to use additional appropriations in certain key areas, such as the following ones. First, supporting the driving force of the European recovery and economy: small and medium enterprises. Secondly, reinforce future—oriented programmes in research, innovation and education with a special focus on youth and children. Thirdly, to strengthen the European Health Union. And fourthly, to boost our efforts towards a digital, green and secure Europe. Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to also use this opportunity to really thank my colleagues, shadow MEPs from all political groups, as well as representatives of all specialised committees that participated in achieving this position. Despite our differences, despite our different backgrounds and perspectives, we all understand that Europe has to be more resilient and that recovery has to be tailored to support all sectors, all regions and all generations in Europe. This is now the moment when we turn our political talk, our political declarations into tangible support to recovery, and this is the moment when we turn our commitment to preparing Europe for a post—pandemic global environment and digital era, and also really reinforce it by concrete funding.

Dear President of the Commission, colleague and colleague, the complexity of technological, climate and demographic change requires a decisive European response as demonstrated by an unprecedented health and economic crisis. Today, the results are visible, children and young people are returning to schools and colleges, cultural and sporting events are taking place, and Member States have started receiving record funding for adaptation and modernisation. This is why Europeans clearly support the recovery plan and we must not take this trust lightly. We have a duty to prepare Europe for the new digital era, as this is also the goal of national recovery plans and ultimately our place in the post-pandemic world depends on it. We need to become more resilient and prepared for the emergencies we witnessed this summer, from natural disasters to humanitarian crises, but also to hybrid attacks on our borders. At the same time, we need to reduce disparities within Europe and support societies that are ready for the next European steps. My country is a good example of this. As the youngest member state, Croatia is ready to join Schengen and we are approaching the introduction of the euro as the official currency. These are national but also European successes and this is a direction that needs to be unequivocally supported.

As the world's second largest economy, China is today a global player that is impossible to bypass. China is a huge trading partner, and Chinese companies are investing in numerous projects across Europe. However, it is also clear that China is not part of our cultural civilization circle. And not only that, but it is also clear that we have radically different notions about the organization of society and that is why in our relations we must insist on respect for international obligations, on respect for human rights and on the rules that apply to everyone. European companies must have access to the market and compete on a level playing field. This will be crucial in defining our future relationship. But more than that, our relationship, our important and not always simple relationship, will determine the imperative of principled cooperation on key global issues, which certainly includes dealing with climate change.

Mr President, we are entering the peak of the budgetary procedure for the next annual budget of the EU. There is still a lot of uncertainties in front of us, so we will have to remain level-headed and adaptable, but the Parliament will firmly insist on our priorities. Expectations of citizens, reflected also here in the Parliament, are understandably high. The next budget has to be a recovery budget, tailored to support all regions, all sectors and all generations. With this in mind, cuts proposed by the Council are, in our opinion, wrong and unacceptable. They include a number of cuts in programmes with excellent absorption capacities. Some of them were already mentioned by the Commissioner, such as Horizon Europe, InvestEU or the Life Programme. This clearly goes against the political declarations, not only of this House but also of the Council. The cuts are therefore impossible to justify, and they are hardly in line also with the priorities of the Council Presidency. It is especially crucial to use additional appropriations in certain key areas: support the driving force of the European recovery and economy, small and medium enterprises. Secondly, reinforce future-oriented programmes in research, innovation and education, with a special focus on youth. Thirdly, to strengthen the European Health Union and fourthly, to boost our efforts towards a digital, green and secure Europe. With these aims, we propose to fully reuse the decommitments in the field of research as there is an unexpected amount of decommitments in 2020, which was not part of the MFF agreement. This amount must not be lost, and the Parliament really sees no good reason to waste this opportunity, which is clearly provided by the financial regulation. Finally, the events in Afghanistan will obviously largely shape our discussions on the budget, similarly as the discussions with the Facility for Refugees, and we will need to reinforce humanitarian aid, and this should not be done at the expense of other, especially external, priorities. It is evident that there is the need for additional financing following the recent events, and this is something that will be high on the Parliament’s priorities. Commissioner, Minister Delegate, in the recent Eurobarometer survey our citizens welcomed Europe’s recovery path in responding to the economic effects of the pandemic. Let us now meet the expectations and continue to build a strong and resilient Europe.

Dear Chairwoman, colleagues, while the pandemic is not yet over, Europe is slowly opening up and entering a new era, entering a new era. Vaccination is progressing, although not always at the speed we would like. The economy is opening up and after months of lockdown, COVID Digital Certificates make it easier for European citizens to travel again. It is also a prerequisite for a successful tourist season on which more than 23 million Europeans living from tourism depend, a sector that accounts for over a tenth of the entire European economy and has suffered a decline of over 70% during the pandemic. At the same time, Europe also has a responsibility towards less developed countries. Donating vaccines and solidarity to the countries of the Western Balkans, our neighbours and other regions is unrivalled globally, but it can still be even stronger because we will only come out of this crisis together. The swifter and better implementation of national recovery plans is also crucial for the whole of Europe. We need a focus on the future, on new digital technologies, but also an awareness of our core values: the freedom and dignity of every human person. We have a shared responsibility to prepare Europe for a new time and to prepare for the post-pandemic world.

Dear Chairwoman, rapporteurs, colleagues, the migration crisis and then the pandemic have shown all the vulnerability of Schengen. Freedom of movement without internal borders is a symbol of European integration to be enjoyed by all European citizens. With the modernised police, Croatia today fulfils its duty to all European citizens by protecting the longest land external border, responsibly and lawfully and recently with independent border control monitoring, a single precedent mechanism provided for in the immigration act. This is why the Commission also unequivocally confirms that Croatia is ready for Schengen and Parliament sends a strong message that all Europeans should enjoy equal freedoms of movement. Accession to Schengen will bring Croatian citizens the equality they deserve, facilitate the development of the economy and tourism and ensure greater security, which is in the interest not only of Croatia but also of the entire European Union.

Dear President, colleagues, successful policies of emigration, asylum and integration as border management are impossible without concrete financial support. European funds reinforce and guide our common fight against irregular migration, but also against cross-border crime and terrorism. Countries on the external border, such as Croatia, are thus strengthening their police with technically state-of-the-art equipment, increasing security in full compliance with national and European regulations. Only coordinated, balanced European policies can lead to the fight against abuses, the return of those who do not benefit from international protection, better cooperation with third countries and quality integration that will prevent the creation of parallel societies. I congratulate the Rapporteur on this success, but the next step must be a comprehensive agreement on the European migration and asylum policy.

Dear Chairman, Dear Prime Minister Janša, colleagues, at a time of fierce change in Europe, 30 years since Slovenia's independence, your presidency has a responsibility to steer the European course towards a common recovery. I am pleased to have the opportunity, as Parliament’s rapporteur, to co-create the 2020 European budget together with the Council, under the Slovenian Presidency. The budget by which we must translate political declarations into concrete measures, measures to further digitise Europe, developing and applying artificial intelligence responsibly, strengthening the Health Union, supporting the countries of the Western Balkans and building a safe environment, including strengthening the Schengen area. We can only deliver these priorities together, forward-looking, by working together on common goals, so that no region, no sector, no generation is left behind. The presidency programme shows that Slovenia understands this. Slovenia has the capacity to implement this, which is why I wish you every success in the next six months in working together towards common goals.