What Tomislav spoke about.

Dear Vice-President, Commissioner, colleague and colleague, the digital transition we are witnessing, which is further accelerating due to the Covid 19 pandemic, fundamentally changes citizens' behavioural patterns, their communication with the administration and the way they buy. In such circumstances, we must ensure that no one is left behind. While we are aware that digitalisation has many positive sides, we must not forget that the protection of citizens’ data must remain a priority, especially in challenging geopolitical circumstances and especially for sensitive data, such as health data. With the Digital Compass, the European Commission has set ambitious targets, so by 2030, key public services must be fully accessible online, and 80% of citizens should use digital identification by then, which will greatly facilitate the use of digital services. However, research has shown that as many as 42 percent of EU citizens do not have basic digital skills, which is why achieving digital goals would not be possible without systematic education of citizens. Moreover, the European Digital Single Market cannot be built without improving digital skills and broadband availability. Therefore, in the report, we called on the Commission to implement decisively the Digital Education Action Plan and further called for the necessary infrastructure to be built. Especially on the islands and in mountainous areas. Digital provision of public services can significantly reduce the administrative burden, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises. In this regard, we need a more ambitious approach at all stages of building permits. It is also necessary to continue the further digitalisation of land registers, as this is the only way for the European Union to remain competitive when it comes to attracting investment. Unfortunately, when establishing ownership, citizens often have problems accessing land registers, their historical extracts, which can lead to legal uncertainty. Simplification of administrative procedures for citizens is at the core of this report. That is why it is important to emphasize that a large part of citizens do not have printers, so we believe that citizens must be able to fill out, sign and submit forms digitally, without the need to print. Furthermore, as citizens increasingly use mobile phones, we also believe that all public service websites must be adapted to access from mobile devices. It is also important that Member States implement the ‘once-only’ principle, which means that they do not require citizens to provide repetitively those documents that are already in the possession of public authorities. Digitalisation still needs to reach its full potential also in the areas of health and justice. This is why we strongly welcome the creation of the European Health Data Space as a necessary part of the digital transition. Furthermore, we noted that digitalisation can also have a positive impact on enforcement proceedings, which is why we invited the Commission to assess how digitalisation can reduce the costs of enforcement proceedings for the consumer, and these high costs are a very significant problem for many of them today. Also, in the report, I focused in particular on public procurement. Indeed, the abuse of appeals for the sole purpose of prolonging a public procurement procedure very often hinders investment and delays the procedure. This is why the report calls on the Commission to assess the extent to which abusive remedies are taking place and to consider ways to prevent them. Finally, the report highlights the importance of adopting a new e-services strategy that will respond to the needs of European citizens and prepare the Single Market for the digital age. And, here, only in the end, in addition to all the above, I would also like to thank all the colleagues who worked on this report and I believe that tomorrow it will be fully adopted by a large majority in plenary.

Dear Vice-Presidents, Commissioners, rapporteurs, colleagues, in achieving the climate targets, it is essential that the energy transition does not lead to a collapse in the competitiveness of European industry and is fair to citizens, who fear that they will have to bear the additional cost of the green transition in addition to general inflation. It is therefore important that the Social Climate Fund supports poor households and small businesses most in need. It will finance concrete measures to address energy and mobile poverty. Furthermore, the Green Deal must mirror the principle of solidarity. There must be no first- and second-class citizens in Europe. That is why I particularly welcome the increase in the Modernisation Fund, which supports ten Member States, including Croatia, in modernising their energy systems and improving energy efficiency. The most important thing is that the implementation of European green policy does not lead to the deindustrialisation of Europe and the collapse of the standard of living of our citizens. While the agreement reached is not ideal, it contains many mechanisms to protect the European way of life from ideological green extremism and we need to support it in these circumstances.

Dear Chairman, the path of introducing a common charger has not been easy or simple. Mobile phone manufacturers have long assured that the problem with the accumulation of chargers will be solved voluntarily by different non-binding mechanisms, which of course did not result in concrete benefits for the consumer. When I became a Member of the European Parliament, not everyone believed that we would be able to introduce a common charger because lobbying by tech giants was truly unprecedented until then. However, with the adoption of the Resolution on a common charger in 2020, we achieved a major victory for all consumers in the European Union. Ultimately, the new law was adopted last year and will make the USB-C slot the standard slot for all smartphones, laptops and other electronic equipment. However, information has emerged that those tech giants who have opposed the introduction of a common charger for years intend to produce USB-C chargers certified only for their users. This would not only deprive them of the meaning of the new law, but would also mock the European Parliament. Therefore, I call on the European Commission to ensure the correct implementation of the law introducing the common charger, as without the correct implementation the law remains only a dead letter on paper.

Dear Chair, colleague Flego, I have listened carefully to your presentation and I fully share your opinion on European agriculture as being based on organic farming. And of course, it is also important to give support because of this to citizens who want to ensure a healthy diet through this initiative. However, in the circumstances of economic uncertainty, high inflation rates, high food prices, can you tell me if you think that achieving such ambitious goals on the complete abolition of pesticides over the next 12 years can lead to an even greater increase in food prices and cause food shortages in the European Union, or do we need perhaps a slightly more nuanced and gradual approach than what is proposed here?

The case of Croatian citizens who were arrested in Zambia at the beginning of December showed that in the case of international adoptions of children from countries that are not signatories to the 1993 Hague Convention, there is a large scope for manipulation of various kinds, and an additional problem is the limited possibility of verifying the authenticity of issued adoption documents. Therefore, it is urgent to ban adoptions from such countries. In fact, in States which are not parties to the Hague Convention, adoptions are infrequent, against the background of a crime that may involve corruption, kidnapping and the sale of children. It is therefore important to send a strong message that actions that leave room for crime should not be allowed. 105 States are parties to the Hague Convention, so it remains unclear why anyone would decide to adopt from a State that is not party to the Convention at all. It is therefore essential that those who opt for international adoption pay particular attention to ascertaining the legality of adoption, as their desire for parenthood cannot in any way override the best interests of the child.

Since 2015, more than 25,000 people have been killed or missing at sea in an attempt to reach Europe. It is estimated that 90% of irregular migrants paid smugglers to try to reach Europe. For criminal networks, this is a very lucrative business activity. For example, migrant smuggling is estimated to have generated between €3 and €6 billion in turnover in 2015. Thanks to the European Union's involvement in migrant rescue operations, more than 629,000 lives have been saved. However, in order to solve humanitarian disasters of drowning, it is not enough just to organize rescue operations. We need a joint coordinated European response against human smuggling on the one hand and enhanced cooperation with third countries to address irregular migration at its source, in third countries. The European Union is not obliged and will not admit to its territory all those who want to conquer Europe just because the quality of life here is better than in third countries. However, it must also not calmly observe the loss of lives of hundreds of people who have been falsely promised that European soils can be reached illegally.

The executive dimension of the ENP has always placed particular emphasis on relations with Armenia, the Honourable Chair, Mr Rapporteur, colleagues. In this regard, it is important to commend Armenia for the important reforms and thorough democratisation process carried out in recent years, making it the region’s leader in the field of democratisation. On the other hand, security, and even the very survival of Armenia, surrounded by mostly hostile neighbors, is currently at stake. The consequences of the resumption of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in 2020, including the massive destruction of Armenia’s historical cultural heritage, are still being felt. In September 2022, Azerbaijan undertook a major attack on the internationally recognised territory of Armenia, which left significant human casualties and material damage. Since December last year, civilian traffic along the Lachin corridor between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh has been blocked, threatening the delivery of food and other human supplies to the area. Ladies and gentlemen, Europe must be much more active than it has been so far in this area and provide economic and any other assistance that Armenia needs. Otherwise, Russia will again fully assume the role of protector of Armenia and use this to impose its own hegemony in the Caucasus region. Ladies and gentlemen, dear colleagues, Armenia needs concrete help, not words.

Dear Chair, a large number of Europeans cross national borders for work, studies, family visits or tourist trips, often in need of health care. The purpose of the European Health Data Space (EHDS) is to provide European citizens with direct and free access to their medical records via mobile phones or computers and to share their health data with doctors anywhere in the European Union. This will give citizens access to faster and better healthcare. It will also provide access to vast amounts of data for research and innovation purposes, enabling the development of new medicines that will save lives. As ENVI rapporteur, I propose amendments that will further empower patients and healthcare professionals compared to the Commission proposal. In addition, I am seeking stronger EU funding to build the necessary infrastructure and train health systems for the implementation of the European Health Data Space. This is indeed a ground-breaking proposal, and we have a responsibility to make sure that the EHDS is easy to apply in practice and that the system works for the benefit of our citizens.

Dear Chair, Commissioners, colleagues, supply chain disruption and the energy crisis caused by the Russian aggression against Ukraine have had a negative impact on the fertiliser market in the European Union. Nitrogen fertiliser prices have risen by as much as 149% in a year, which is why the purchase of fertilisers represents a serious financial burden for EU farmers. In addition, high fertiliser prices have a negative impact on food security, calling for a targeted coordinated European Union response aimed at strengthening support mechanisms, which will make fertilisers more affordable for European farmers. Of course, in the medium and long term, we must also look for alternatives in organic fertilisers from recycled waste streams, which is in line with the principles of the circular economy. Also, due to significantly changed political circumstances, we need a new impact assessment for the objectives we set in the Farm to Fork Strategy, which we should certainly use as an opportunity to reduce the dependence of the European Union on several global suppliers in terms of fertiliser supply. I therefore welcome the European Commission's communication on the availability and affordability of fertilisers, but at the same time call for further engagement to minimise the negative effects of the new geopolitical reality on European farmers. They are already paying too much for the wrong policies of the past. Let us not forget, therefore, that food supply is a matter of national security and that farmers play an indispensable role in this supply.

While the entire European Union is united in condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Serbia persistently refuses to align its foreign policy with the European one. So, my question is what mechanisms does the European Union have at its disposal to force Serbia to align its policy towards Russia with that of the European Union, and is the Union therefore ready to eventually stop accession negotiations with Serbia until Serbia fulfils what is necessary?

The area of South East Europe is under increasing intelligence, media and economic influence of foreign authoritarian regimes, which can destabilize the European Union itself. This is why a strong EU presence through enlargement policy is crucial for the stability of south-east Europe. However, a particular problem for the stability of the area is Serbia's policy, which persistently tries to sit on two chairs while maintaining military-economic cooperation with Russia and refusing to impose sanctions on Moscow. Serbian hegemonic politics, unfortunately, also contributes to the destabilization of neighboring countries. This is most clearly seen in Montenegro, where recently, contrary to the recommendations of the Venice Commission, the pro-Serb majority in the Parliament amended the Law on the President, thus plunging the country into an unprecedented constitutional crisis. With this in mind, and in the context of enlargement policy, what does the European Union intend to do to prevent Serbia’s interference in Montenegro’s internal affairs, and in particular the spread of the hegemonic concept of the ‘Serbian world’ in the country?

Dear Chairman, European Union law protects geographical indications for agricultural products and foodstuffs such as the widely known Dalmatian prosciutto and the Slavonian kulen. However, European legislation does not know the legal instrument for the protection of non-food traditional products, and such Croatian cultural heritage is full. In addition to diverging national rules on the protection of non-food products, the fact that there is no cross-border system for the mutual recognition of national protection systems in the internal market is an additional problem. Pag lace, Šibenik botun or Slavonian gold embroidery are just some of the traditional gems of our region whose technique of making has been carefully preserved and passed down from generation to generation. For too long, traditional food products have been unprotected, so it is high time that European legislation recognises the value of our cultural heritage and protects the valuable work of the local population from counterfeits from third countries. I therefore welcome the European Commission's proposal on the protection of geographical indications for craft industrial products and call on the Council and the European Parliament to agree positions as soon as possible to ensure that no one benefits from traditional production.

Dear President, colleagues, fisheries are part of the identity of many European countries. In Croatia, the country from which I come, it has been present since ancient times. A thousand-year-old fishing tradition is an indispensable part of Mediterranean life, and over time it has become part of the rich tourist offer. Unfortunately, many of the problems faced by fishermen, especially in small-scale and coastal fisheries, have only worsened due to unstable geopolitical circumstances. The fact is that fishing workers have low incomes and work in difficult and often precarious conditions, while increasing operating costs make fishing less attractive, especially for young people. A particular problem for fishermen is the rise in the price of blue diesel, which has a direct impact on their operating costs and fish prices. This is why specific fast-track forms of support to fishers are important, including subsidies and the preservation of the fuel tax exemption, but also aid for the storage, freezing and cooling of fish. In addition, when it comes to small-scale fishing, it should be noted that the average age of the fishing fleet is 32.5 years, which leads to an increase in labour costs and reduces competitiveness in fisheries. In this regard, it is essential that the European Commission envisages additional support that can address these challenges. Therefore, I support this report. I believe that as a strategic activity and part of our identity, we can preserve fisheries for generations to come.

Dear Chairman, recent decisions by High Representative Schmidt have allowed legitimate representatives of the Croatian people in Bosnia and Herzegovina to participate in the executive. However, in the context of today's debate, we must clearly say that the stability of the European neighbourhood is possible only with a systematic reform of BiH's electoral legislation, which will ensure the equality of all three constituent peoples by the end. It is unacceptable that a disgraceful figure like Željko Komšić still sits on the BiH Presidency. I therefore call on the European Union to use all the tools at its disposal to complete the necessary reform of the electoral legislation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the latest EU candidate country. In addition, as a Member coming from one of the smaller Member States, I would like to stress the need to maintain unanimity in decision-making in the Council in matters of common foreign and security policy. A stand-alone foreign policy constitutes a fundamental dimension of national sovereignty and a guarantee of the protection of national interests and cannot be replaced by a decision based on over-voting.

While Europe is struggling with high inflation rates, the energy crisis and disruptions in food supply chains, the health systems of the Member States are under increasing strain due to the rise in respiratory infections. In addition, the shortage of medicines further aggravates the health situation. In addition to the lack of the active substance paracetamol, information that patients are finding it increasingly difficult to reach antibiotics, but also, for example, medicines used to treat breast cancer, is of particular concern. In such circumstances, it is more important than ever to insist on the creation of a European Health Union that will be able to respond to the challenges of shortages through a common policy. The European Union must provide much more financial support to Member States to combat the shortage of health workers. In addition, with a targeted industrial policy, we need to bring back to Europe the production of critical medicines such as antibiotics, the lack of which is a growing problem, as their production today is simply unprofitable. In short, much stronger incentives and support are needed for the production of medicines in the EU than we have now. The protection of the health of European citizens must not depend on third countries as is the case today.

On an annual basis, the video game market in the European Union is worth more than €23 billion, with a steady upward trend conducive to the creation of high-paid jobs. The fact is that video games are played by people of all ages, however, a particularly vulnerable group among them are children who often develop addiction to video games and we need to further protect them. In this regard, I stress the importance of developing mechanisms for parental control of children’s access to video games and the communication that children make when playing games. That is why I call on the European Commission to present a European video game strategy that realises the full potential of this sector with a particular focus on child safety. This strategy should distinguish between video games and games of chance, with a further duty for Member States to create a safe environment for consumers also in the area of games of chance. It is time to harness the potential of the video game industry, but at the same time ensure the protection of the most vulnerable - children.

–. Mr President, colleagues, the Single Market is one of the greatest achievements of the European Union and an area in which it has the greatest opportunities to act. It is thanks to the Single Market that European citizens can move, study, hire and do business freely in different Member States. In doing so, it creates 56 million jobs and generates a large percentage of European GDP. Today, citizens can make phone calls in the European Union without fear of high bills, recognition of their qualifications makes it easier for them to work in the Member States, and they will soon be able to use a common charger. However, despite the many benefits that the Single Market brings, it is often unjustifiably neglected and taken for granted, including in the European Parliament. This is why commemorating the thirtieth anniversary of its creation is a great opportunity to make the Single Market a truly political priority. In fundamentally changed circumstances, we need to work diligently to remove remaining bureaucratic barriers, while ensuring the highest level of consumer protection. Whether it's food labelling, protection against unjustified price hikes or current account minuses. I also strongly welcome the European Commission's proposal to create an emergency instrument. The free movement of people, goods and capital services must also work in times of crisis if we do not want European integration to collapse and the continent to sink into chaos. The success of the Single Market is the key to Europe's competitiveness in global competition and the guarantee of maintaining the standard of living of European citizens.

–The Honourable Chair, Commissioners, Rapporteurs, Colleagues, since the adoption of the current Multiannual Financial Framework, the political, economic and social context has changed beyond recognition, ranging from the unprecedented scale and dramatic consequences of the pandemic, which is not yet over, to the war in Ukraine and the enormous rise in prices. We can freely say that the current MFF is burdened to the limit and cannot be used to respond to challenges. For this reason, we need to start seriously thinking about the revision of the MFF, as the usual approach is far from sufficient to address a number of emerging challenges. I therefore welcome the fact that the report calls on the Commission to put forward a proposal for a comprehensive and ambitious revision of the MFF. As far as cohesion policy is concerned, it is increasingly being used to strengthen other policies and address shortcomings in budgetary flexibility or crisis response mechanisms within the MFF. In this context, while crisis response measures are necessary and useful, cohesion policy must not be a crisis response tool. The existing possibility to transfer resources from cohesion policy funds to other EU instruments of up to 5% of the initial allocation provides sufficient flexibility, but this should remain and not increase this threshold. It is also particularly important that the revision of the MFF does not lead to a reduction in the amount of pre-allocated national envelopes or EU programmes. Cohesion policy funding must continue to serve primarily its main objective: reducing disparities in development between the various regions of the European Union.

–The Honourable Chair, Commissioners, colleagues, frequent external interferences in democratic processes in Europe aim to undermine fundamental values and destabilise European society. One of the most obvious examples is the amendment of the law on the president, which anti-European, pro-Serbian and pro-Russian forces want to use to unconstitutionally come to power in Montenegro, a candidate country for EU membership. Unfortunately, contrary to the recommendations of the Venice Commission, by voting on the law in the Parliament of Montenegro, this country fell into an unprecedented constitutional and legal crisis. There was therefore no choice but to cancel the EU-Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee meeting scheduled for this week in Strasbourg. The area of Southeast Europe is under increasing intelligence, media and economic influence of foreign authoritarian regimes, which can destabilize the European Union itself. A particular problem is Serbia's policy of persistently trying to sit on two chairs, maintaining military and economic co-operation with Russia and refusing to impose sanctions on Moscow. Serbian pro-Russian and hegemonic policies, unfortunately, also contribute to the destabilization of neighbouring countries and the entire Western Balkans. That is why it is now more important for the European Union than ever to engage more actively in political processes in this part of Europe, as the consequences of our passivity could be devastating.

–The Honourable Chair, Commissioners, Colleagues, inflation which is fundamentally driven by the energy crisis and supply chain disruptions due to the war in Ukraine have had a major impact on the purchasing power of citizens in the European Union. For the same amount of money, consumers in the EU today can buy 10% fewer items than in the same period last year. One of the causes of the energy crisis is the wrong political decisions of states that decided ten years ago to replace cheap and reliable nuclear energy with Russian gas, and this should be clearly stated. In such circumstances, it is precisely the diversification of energy sources, with the construction of the LNG terminal, that has proved to be one of the solutions. Also, as a medium-term solution, it is necessary to strengthen joint procurement of energy products on the world market. However, as a long-term solution, it is necessary to fully build a single European energy market under strict supervision in order to prevent speculation. Only an energy-built Europe can provide certainty for citizens and businesses in times of crisis.

Last week, the Justice and Home Affairs Council adopted a unanimous political decision on Croatia's accession to Schengen. As of 1 January 2023, Croatia has thus become a full member of the area of freedom of movement, unprecedented in the world, which is one of the symbols of the European integration project. Less than ten years after joining the European Union, Croatia, as a member of Schengen and the eurozone, becomes fully European integrated. This will benefit all Croatian citizens, especially exporters, tourism workers and those who live in border areas and often cross the border. For Croatia and its citizens, this is also the realization of the strategic interest of full membership of Europe and the West. Thanks to the great effort of the Croatian government, Croatia successfully fulfilled 281 recommendations in eight areas in the most comprehensive and detailed evaluation. However, the process of strengthening the Schengen area must go further. We must not forget Romania and Bulgaria. That is why I take this opportunity to express my full support for the accession of these two countries to Schengen.

After more than a year since the Taliban's return to power, it is evident that the lives of ordinary Afghans have deteriorated greatly, which was to be expected. Militant Islamists rule the country through violence and bans and persecution of minorities, especially Hazara and Christians. The Taliban regime is massively violating human rights, in particular women's rights. Young girls are prohibited from high school education. It should be said openly that the current situation in Afghanistan represents a catastrophic military and geopolitical defeat for the West. In the period after 2001. NATO relied mainly on completely incompetent and corrupt domestic personnel, which necessarily led to an accelerated collapse of the government with the withdrawal of allied forces. Today, Afghanistan is a source of instability, a starting point for illegal migration to Europe, which is a huge security problem. The influence of China and Russia in Central Asia has strengthened, weakened here from the West. The European Union needs to define more clearly its own priorities in this part of the world and engage more specifically in alliances with countries with which it shares a common interest. Otherwise, he will remain the foreign policy dwarf he is today.

Dear Chairman, we are witnessing the fact that migrants frequently abuse the right to asylum in order to circumvent the regular procedure and thus reach the territory of the European Union. An effective and safe European migration policy must therefore ensure a practical distinction between international refugee status and migrant status. The European Union cannot and should not admit to its territory anyone who wishes to do so simply because the quality of life in Europe is higher than in the country from which it comes. Under these circumstances, it is crucial to stop irregular migration and strengthen the protection of the Schengen area. In this regard, I would like to commend the Croatian police, which, in accordance with European and international law, guards the longest land border of the European Union. Croatia has met the strictest criteria and its entry into Schengen guarantees the protection of the EU's external borders and the effective fight against illegal migration. That is why I call on the Council to take a political decision in December on Croatia’s entry into the Schengen area. She deserved it!

The enlargement process of the European Union is stalled due to the lack of political will on the part of individual EU Member States. The main reason for this is that some candidate countries, such as Serbia, have taken several major steps backwards in the European sense. Repetitive tensions between Serbia and Kosovo, Serbian non-alignment with Union sanctions against Russia, mass migrant leaks to the EU indicate that Serbia is the main factor of instability in the area of Southeast Europe. For this reason, the Union must make greater use of its own economic and political instruments to sanction Serbia if it continues to act contrary to European values. Related to this is the example of Montenegro, which is destabilized by those political forces that want to bring it back under the auspices of Serbia and Russia. We must strongly oppose this, keep Montenegro in the western sphere of influence, which is currently in great danger. In conclusion, we welcome the decision of the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr. Schmidt, to prevent the expulsion of legitimate representatives of the Croatian people from the executive. I hope that after the formation of the new government, the final part of the electoral reform will be approached in order to prevent the usurpation of the Croatian seat in the BiH presidency by extremist Bosniak politicians, which is currently the case.

In the European Union, one in ten adults suffers from diabetes and treatment-related costs amount to 9% of total healthcare costs. Another worrying fact is that as many as half of the patients do not have a diagnosis that is crucial for proper treatment. In this context, I welcome the European Commission's Healthy Together Initiative to tackle Non-Communicable Diseases". However, we need an even more ambitious framework to tackle diabetes. That is why I call for a European Diabetes Plan with well-defined objectives, regulatory measures, indicators and strong funding along the lines of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan. Only in this way can Europe beat diabetes, a disease that 170,000 children are struggling with in the European Union. Finally, I would like to stress the importance of establishing a European Health Data Space to successfully tackle diabetes, but also other diseases. As a European Parliament rapporteur, I am proud to work already on this file, which will enable the exchange and access to health data both for the purpose of direct treatment and for the purpose of research and development of new forms of treatment for this serious disease.