Speeches

Dear Chairman, Honourable Commissioner, Colleagues, what we see in Serbia today is definitely not democracy. These are protests suppressed by force, these are students called enemies of the state, these are pressurized media and truth silenced. Such behavior of the authorities is not a dialogue, it is a logic of fear, I would say, a postmodern autocrat. And that's why we have to say clearly: this is not the way to the European Union, because Europe is built on freedom of speech, responsibility, respect for human dignity. A government that stifles the media and declares its own citizens a threat is moving Serbia away from the European family, but also the rhetoric of some from the opposition and from the protests about Greater Serbia, open or covert, is unacceptable. European integration is not a trade in values. On the one hand, the appeal to Russia and China to strengthen legitimacy, open nationalism, and on the other, the expectation of support from the European Union. Such a double game cannot be rewarded. I will conclude, the path to Europe leads through reform processes, through democracy, never through repression.

First of all, let me thank all firefighters, pilots and civil protection personnel for their outstanding contribution. I certainly agree, colleague and colleague, that we must show solidarity first. However, we forgot to mention something during this whole discussion, and in the past five years, unfortunately, in the floods and fires we have lost three thousand human lives. These are the lives, families and communities that carry the burden of disasters. How can we show solidarity in a different way? It is precisely as responsible politicians, through the reinforcement of rescEU, through the strengthening of the fleet of European firefighting teams, that, of course, early warning systems, especially satellites and drones, should be modernised, investing in the prevention and resilience of communities. We need a proactive approach. The effects of extreme weather events can also be considered a systemic risk, I would say. Of course, we must first and foremost protect people's lives and property, but we must also understand this as a threat to the economy, finances and social stability.

Colleague Šarec, you mentioned Montenegro. Thank you so much for being there. I would like to remind you that the Republic of Croatia has helped Montenegro, that the Republic of Croatia is one of the great examples at the EU level of how to invest in prevention, how to invest in the protection system, primarily civil protection. 634 million euros has been invested by the Republic of Croatia. So, I think we should also send a message to the member states because there is a great disparity in the will of their governments in how they will help prevent forest fires and floods. We need solidarity, strengthening the rescEU fleet, prevention and strengthening resilience. I think we agree here.

Dear Chairman, dear colleagues, Commissioner, if we don't change anything, we risk keeping public money trapped in slow and closed systems. The reform must simplify procedures, open the door to SMEs and I therefore agree with this proposal to ensure greater transparency and only in this way will we turn public procurement into a strategic tool that encourages competition, innovation and sustainability, not just a race for the lowest price. However, if public procurement is to truly serve citizens, it must serve to inform them. Commissioner, I have also asked you a question about this. This is where we get to the professional media. Today, audiovisual and radio services are exempt from public procurement rules, which is good, but on the other hand, printed media and digital portals, while also acting in the public interest, are not. It is not just legal illogicality, so I ask you to think about it, it is a weakness in the fight against disinformation, and it is the media that must also protect our European way of life.

Dear Chairwoman, colleagues, we are talking about a common European response to the increasingly devastating and frequent climate challenges, and forest fires are certainly one of the most serious. In 2023, Europe lost more than 500,000 hectares of forest, and another extremely warm season is ahead of us. The RescEU fleet, which had 28 planes and four helicopters last year, will play a key role in helping Member States quickly. I come from Croatia, which, unfortunately, is increasingly faced with forest fires and I strongly support these efforts. Last year, we signed a contract to procure two new Canadians, precisely from this mechanism, and should be delivered in 2027/2028. We have also shown great operational readiness in various threats and I think we can share these experiences with different member countries. We also invested €634 million in the fire protection system and an additional €55 million in the acquisition of new equipment. However, the Preparedness Union must be more flexible in its plans, have targeted and accessible support tailored to local needs. In conclusion, we need prevention and operational plans, rational investments in security and sustainability.

Dear Chairwoman, colleagues, we are talking about a common European response to the increasingly devastating and frequent climate challenges, and forest fires are certainly one of the most serious. In 2023, Europe lost more than 500,000 hectares of forest, and another extremely warm season is ahead of us. The RescEU fleet, which had 28 planes and four helicopters last year, will play a key role in helping Member States quickly. I come from Croatia, which, unfortunately, is increasingly faced with forest fires and I strongly support these efforts. Last year, we signed a contract to procure two new Canadians, precisely from this mechanism, and should be delivered in 2027/2028. We have also shown great operational readiness in various threats and I think we can share these experiences with different member countries. We also invested €634 million in the fire protection system and an additional €55 million in the acquisition of new equipment. However, the Preparedness Union must be more flexible in its plans, have targeted and accessible support tailored to local needs. In conclusion, we need prevention and operational plans, rational investments in security and sustainability.

The Honourable Chair, the Honourable Commissioner, I would like to thank my colleague first of all for this report. Thirty years since the Srebrenica crime. Thirty years since the Dayton Agreement and thirty years since the magnificent ‘Storm’, a storm of peace. It is in this context that we must therefore accept that Bosnia and Herzegovina's European path is the only guarantee of the country's lasting stability and development. We therefore condemn the incendiary rhetoric and secessionist moves that threaten the stability of Bosnia and Herzegovina at this time. It expressed its willingness to open negotiations as soon as sufficient progress has been made. The ball is in the courtyard of Bosnia and Herzegovina. As a representative from Croatia, I would like to point out that for the progress of BiH it is necessary to ensure the equality of all three constituent peoples and all citizens in the spirit of the Dayton Agreement. There must be no backsliding in the rule of law or undermining the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is crucial to implement electoral reforms to eliminate discrimination and strengthen the legitimate political representation of Croats. I therefore call on all actors in BiH to reduce tensions, return to reforms and continue the path of European integration.

Dear Chairman, Honourable Commissioner, colleague and colleague, so today we are actually standing, I would say, in front of a moment of truth for European democracy. The European Media Freedom Act is not only a law, it is also a tool for authoritarian regimes. Free media is not an ornament of the political system. And if the left or the far right or the far left are not satisfied, if we are somewhere in the middle, then we must do a good job. And now I'll tell you why. This is because EMFA protects the voices of peoples rather than interests, the right to independent reporting, the inviolability of sources and editorial autonomy. Transparency of ownership – mandatory. Protection against spying on journalists – firm and unquestionable. And this is a turning point in the fight against disinformation and the concentration of power. So EMFA, I would say, doesn't allow a political filter on editing tables and I think that's a good thing. But what we have to give journalists is financial independence. The Treaty on European Union makes it clear that the Union is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights. If these values mean something, then EMFA is not an option, but a necessity. I come from Croatia and I just want to refer to what is happening in my country right now. He embarks on a public consultation and a draft law that will enable the implementation of the European Media Freedom Act. Colleagues, protect journalists, protect their independence and give them financial independence.

The enlargement of the European Union is not just a technical process, it is a deep political decision with far-reaching consequences. At a time when Europe is facing war in the east, pressure from the south and growing global rivalries, enlargement is also an investment in security. Croatia is the youngest member of the European Union, but it also has a special responsibility to be a bridge between the Union and our neighbours. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, for example, and Montenegro live active Croatian communities that are not only a bridge of identity but also a bridge of trust. Their integration, legal and cultural visibility must remain part of the European agenda. If enlargement does not progress, the space will not remain empty and will be filled by others who have no interest in democracy, but in influence. This is why we need to speed up integration processes, but with clear rules, institutional security and political will. If Europe is to remain a global actor rather than a bureaucratic project, enlargement must be a strategic priority, but with parallel institutional reform and strengthening internal cohesion. Because if we don't expand, it means we stagnate, and stagnation in geopolitics means retreat. Europe must not withdraw.

Dear Chair, Honourable Commissioner, Honourable colleague Šarec, first of all I would like to thank you for your report. It is true that Montenegro remains the most prepared candidate for membership in the European Union, but it has been waiting too long for concrete progress. I welcome the new institutional momentum and new efforts by the government, but the number of open clusters and technical chapters that stand without closure clearly shows that without consistent implementation of reforms and no conclusion of negotiations. As a Croatian representative from a country that shares historical and human ties with Montenegro, I also welcome the intensive dialogue between Montenegro and Croatia. Croatia strongly supports Montenegro's European path, but the European perspective is not only a foreign policy goal. It must have an internal social agreement that includes the strengthening of an independent judiciary, free media. I recently visited Boka Kotorska where the Croatian community lives and I want to emphasize that it must remain an equal and visible part of Montenegrin society. Montenegro must have internal determination and clear external criteria. The credibility of enlargement goes hand in hand with the credibility of reforms and I will conclude: Citizens of Montenegro, do not fall for political predators. It doesn't matter which nation you belong to. Don't stay on the periphery. Stay with European Montenegro.

Dear Chairman, colleague Bosanac, first, it is important to look at what the Court of Auditors said, second, it is important not to muddle your country with the wrong information and third, if it were not for these funds, what do you think Croatia would look like after the devastating earthquakes, what would the city of Zagreb look like if it had been renovated, for example by your party? Therefore, I ask you to look at the data, not to speak by heart. You're not wrong and it's not good to lie. You're wrong.

Dear Chair, Honourable Commissioner, Colleague Lenaers, Colleagues, Protecting Children from Sexual Abuse and Exploitation is not a matter of competence or ideology, I think it is a matter of common sense and that is how we should look at it. In 2023 alone, look at the figures in the European Union, more than 30 million reports of child sexual abuse content. The numbers are frightening. The digital space has become the main battlefield. Over 85% of child sexual abuse material is detected on platforms. I'm going to give a good example from my country. Croatia is one of the few countries that have aligned national laws with the Lanzarote Convention and is actively developing multidisciplinary protocols for intervention. However, no Member State can do this alone. It is our duty, as legislator, to create a framework in which no child, whether in Strasbourg, Zagreb or Tallinn, becomes a victim because institutions were not fast, cooperation was not effective or algorithms looked the other way. I therefore think that the directive is extremely important. Criminalisation, non-obsolescence and reporting mechanisms. It's our responsibility.

80 years since the bloodiest war in human history, Europe has raised the bravest project of peace, but today it is tempted. As the war rages again on European soil, we see a rise in populism and authoritarianism. Fear replaces reason. We have to ask ourselves if we will defend what makes us European. Europe is not just a market community, but a community of values. Europe is not just a geographical area. Europe is the idea, the idea that differences are not weakness, but strength and that freedom is not meant. We know this very well in Croatia. When we talk about freedom and peace, we know how precious freedom and peace are because, unfortunately, we experienced the brutality of the Greater Serbian aggression against Croatia only thirty years ago. And we won. But we also remember the victims after the Second World War. I remember Macelj, Bleiburg and the Way of the Cross. Therefore, we all have to bear in mind that Europe is not a finished story. Europe is written every day, and the question is simple: Are we going to be its authors or observers?

For me, the fine against Tik Tok is not a victory, I would say that this may be our late reaction and confirmation that our data protection systems do not work effectively enough. More than 175 million European citizens use Tik Tok. Children, teenagers and young people. Their data ended up on Chinese servers for years, and we continue to observe and discuss. So it's time to do something. I'd say it's not digital sovereignty, it's our slowness. At the same time, platforms like Tik Tok, X and Instagram, nothing new to say, and others, are overwhelmed by a number of disinformation. In addition, they earn on our data, every action: what we look at, how long, what we like, is used to create profiles and this data can end up outside Europe without our knowledge and potentially be used for surveillance, manipulation and political influence. Therefore, we ask very concretely to know where our data is and who accesses it, why and how it is protected. And yes, data is not numbers, it is our digital personality and we need to know how it is protected.

According to available Europol data, 821 criminal networks operate on the territory of the European Union. Main activity: drug trafficking, human trafficking, cybercrime and, of course, money laundering. I therefore welcome this initiative, which brings us first and foremost the integrated work of security agencies, which means deeper cooperation between national security services, Europol and Frontex. In addition, what matters, we want to improve cyber security, new technologies to detect and neutralize cyber threats, of course, by wanting to protect the digital infrastructure and data of our citizens. What is very important is a clearer and more important control at the external borders of the European Union. The fight against disinformation is something that I have been talking about all the time, for years in this parliament, and this applies above all to media literacy towards our citizens who are just entering into life. In conclusion, by implementing these measures, we want to increase the resilience of the European Union. And of course, what's most important... (Chair took the floor)

Dear Chair, colleagues, I will address the impact of digital technologies on human rights. I will only remind you that fragile democracy can be extremely dangerous because it is subject to internal and external threats and they can lead to its collapse or transition into so-called autocratic systems. Here are some key reasons why this is a serious problem. First of all, susceptibility to manipulation and populism because they often have weak institutions, which allows populists and authoritarian leaders to take power by manipulating public change. Disinformation and propaganda are causing polarisation in society. Weakness of the rule of law. Security context. We have complex security threats that include cyber-attacks on critical infrastructure, institutions and private companies. Disinformation campaigns aimed at destabilising democratic processes. In this context, we are also reaching this point, which is a serious violation of human rights in many segments.

Dear President, Commissioners, colleagues, if we want a strong Europe, we need to give people a reason to stay and a reason to come back. While primary education is, as you know, a Member State competence, Europe can help here. For example, the Erasmus+ programme has already enabled more than 13 million young people to study and train abroad. Let us not forget the ALMA initiative, which opens the door to those who find it difficult to find a job. But these programs must provide real opportunities, not just temporary experiences. We also need to make our countries places of opportunity. Geopolitical challenges and global competition are a warning that we need to ensure that our workforce remains competitive. Croatia, the country from which I come, offers, for example, facilitations for the return of young professionals, and the Commissioners, you mentioned the STEM area, so let me say that in Croatia 35.4% of female students are in the STEM field and therefore we are in the top five countries of the European Union. We must, of course, invest in well-paid jobs, digital skills and industries of the future, because a strong Europe is the one from which people do not have to leave in order to succeed. To remain relevant, the European Union needs to adapt its Union of Skills concept to new technological, environmental and societal challenges. This means reforming education, strengthening reskilling and lifelong learning, and of course focusing on the digital and green economy.

Dear Chair, Commissioners, colleagues, women continue to constitute a minority at the top of political, economic and social structures. That's what we concluded today. I don't think we've discovered anything new. However, I would like to remind you that for every euro earned by a man, a woman earns 0.87 euros. The current situation in the European Parliament, a woman is about 40 percent, but among leaders of political groups and individuals, the number of prime ministers is much lower. Obstacles such as the gender pay gap, the glass ceiling and paid domestic work continue to limit women. Policies that support access to quality education, entrepreneurship and financial resources and of course a better work-life balance, including in rural areas, are crucial to us. However, more than half of the world's population is made up of us, women. There are 52% of us in the European Union. We have the potential to reshape power systems, economics and social values. But not as a rigged orchestra, not as an ideology, but as those who really want to use politics to improve women's conditions and make it better for all women in the European Union. We won't do that if we're just going to compete on who's right and who's not. I will conclude, economic independence only allows for freedom of choice and we need to work on it.

More than half of GDP in the European Union is generated by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Once again, these people employ almost a hundred million people. Colleagues on the left, you say, we don't need an omnibus package. So tell that to those people who have to find money every day to have to produce, to be able to pay their workers. Of course, the omnibus package will not solve everything, but we will free up time and resources that are now trapped in endless paperwork, bureaucratic labyrinths and excessive administrative burden. So we're going to give companies what we're talking about, what the U.S. has, what some other more developed countries have, and we don't have, which is: innovation, growth and competitiveness. And I'll conclude, simplification is not an end in itself. It is a tool to strengthen our entrepreneurs and achieve a stronger, more competitive and resilient European market. This should not be an ideological question. It's a matter of reason.

Dear Chairman, Commissioner, first of all I would like to thank you for not only listening, but also hearing. You mentioned cyberbullying, a topic we discussed even before your appointment, and once again I would like to invite all member states that do not have cyberbullying criminalized to do so as soon as possible. Why am I saying that? According to the latest available data from 2021, almost 50 percent of Generation Z members have experienced some form of online violence. However, mental health is affected by social networks in general, digital pressure, low confidence, cyberbullying, academic pressure, economic insecurity, Covid 19 pandemic, generational constraints, social isolation. All this is alarming data, we heard the numbers here tonight, which cause anxiety in children and which seek change and which send us a desperate cry: Help us! Therefore, I will conclude, research shows that every euro invested in mental health brings 24 euros in savings. Let's not think about money, but about the future.

Dear Chair, colleagues, we have detected problems and I thank the Commission for this. However, what I want to say on behalf of farmers, small and medium-sized entrepreneurs, on behalf of the Croatian Chamber of Commerce, from which I received feedback, Europe must not be a continent of bureaucrats. Therefore, we need to deliver real solutions for workers, entrepreneurs, craftsmen, farmers and families across Europe. Let's take a look at our industries. Producers face high energy costs and complex regulations. I agree that clean industrial deal important, but we need to cut red tape, speed up permitting for clean energy projects and lower the price of clean energy. If we want to be a leader in technology, we need to invest. This is just not support for big tech companies, but we need to help startups and entrepreneurs create the next big steps. Let's not forget, structural barriers to competitiveness have been detected, but actions are expected immediately, not in a year.

Dear Chairman, Dear Commissioner, yes, we have all regretted the lack of consensus in Busan, which also points to the complexity of aligning global priorities, but I would say that this must not discourage us. Even though we are aware that we have a plastic crisis, I would call it that, obviously we are not aware that we need to reduce the use of plastic because according to all indicators we consume or create more plastic waste, almost 30%, than we did. I'd like to give you just one piece of information. Plastic waste is becoming a crisis of our time. With more than 11 million tons of plastic, we're choking the oceans. I'll just give you a comparison. That's 11,000 large Boeing 747s, or with 11 million tons of plastic, you can fill 50,000 Olympic swimming pools. We are so irresponsible. However, we, as the European Union, must continue our initiatives such as the European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy and the Single-Use Plastics Directive, which have already laid a strong foundation, but of course more needs to be done. And Commissioner, here you will have our full support.

I would like to thank the Honourable President, the Honourable Commissioner, above all for your work over the past five years on this very important topic. Demographic revitalization is not only a social responsibility, but also a key prerequisite for preserving economic, cultural and political sovereignty. Without active and long-term measures, negative demographic trends can have irreversible consequences. I want to give you an example of my country, Croatia. In December last year, the Croatian government adopted a number of demographic measures divided into four main areas: improving the parental support system, increasing parental benefits, support for families, building an enabling environment for families and children, measures for the affected areas through depopulation and measures to encourage the re-immigration of Croatian emigrants. This is only part of the package to be adopted by 2033. However, we at the level of the European Union need to address the problem of employment, high housing prices and all the problems that plague young people, including in rural areas.

The Honourable Chairman, the Honourable Vice-President, the Colleague and the Colleagues, has been spoken here in Goebbels style several times a lie today, namely that the DSA allows censorship. Therefore, once again, as a former journalist, the Digital Services Act is not a censorship act, but freedom of expression does not mean freedom of hate speech at the same time. I hope we all agree. And colleagues on the right and colleagues on the left. However, I would like to point out something else, as well as the Vice-President. I think we need to be more careful in our words. We cannot talk about illegal hate speech or illegal hate speech. So either it's hate speech or it's not, so please be very precise. So, without these mistakes happening to us maybe somewhere in the translation. As far as regulation is concerned, I still believe that we, as a high degree of democracy that we have reached, must protect our democratic values. So I invite you, let us not use lies, let us use the truth, because the truth always wins in the end.

Dear Chairman, dear Commissioner, you mentioned Bosnia and Herzegovina, but I will also add Serbia, and Kosovo, and Montenegro, and Albania. So, in many other countries, we find examples of this. It is a fact that women in these countries face a combination of political polarisation, gender discrimination and weak protection mechanisms against online violence. Politicians are often the target of sexist insults that have nothing to do with their political views, but are focused mainly on appearance, personal life or traditional gender roles. Common phrases such as ‘go back to the kitchen’ or allusions to their appearance and dress appear regularly on social media. Threats of sexual violence and physical assault are common methods of intimidation. Women politicians who publicly oppose traditional values or often nationalist rhetoric face intense threats. Discredit through disinformation, including organised campaigns, often puts out fake news about female politicians, including allegations of corruption or loyalty to foreign interests, false claims about their private lives, including fabricated scandals or so-called affair stories. The aim is, of course, to destroy their reputation and voter confidence. Let's not forget the continuous, already known coordinated attacks through social networks, with the support of bots and organized trolls. However, we need to talk about something else, which is a patriarchal mentality. Gender roles in candidate countries are often deeply rooted in patriarchal values, which gives women an additional burden to prove themselves. Politicians who oppose dominant narratives or advocate liberal policies often become targets of attack. Colleagues, in many candidate countries laws against cyberviolence exist but are insufficient or not effectively enforced. And I agree, it is our role to take them into account in the enlargement process.