Speeches

–The Honourable Chair, Commissioners, colleagues, yes, pluralism and media freedom are part of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and the European Convention on Human Rights. Respect and inviolability of these rights and principles are essential for the existence of democracy, as well as its processes and institutions. Despite all that has been written, the latest report expresses concern about the current situation. Among other things, we've heard black numbers today. Last Friday, the International Federation of Journalists announced that 67 media professionals had been killed at work this year, 40% more than last year. Among other things, we are witnessing cases of degradation of the journalistic profession, politicisation of the media, non-implementation of the right of access to information, lack of transparency in ownership structures. I therefore welcome the announced Media Freedom Act as well as the so-called Anti-SLAPP Directive. I would like to refer to it because the Republic of Croatia was among the first members to establish an expert group in the Ministry of Culture and Media a year ago and to systematically start dealing with SLAPP lawsuits. Educational workshops are held with representatives of professional associations, journalists, the Union of Journalists, the Ministry of Justice, the Croatian Journalists' Association, professors of the Faculty of Law, publishers. The aim is to protect journalists from unfounded or abusive court proceedings. Our right and obligation as a Member of the European Parliament is to ensure the preservation of the rule of law and the protection of fundamental values, and we know, colleagues, democracy has no alternative. But let us not forget that media integrity implies professionalism and respect for standards, and the first and last word of a journalist must be true.

–The Honourable Chair, the Honourable Commissioner, I see that you are online, watch what you surf, colleagues, intentional attempts to manipulate the information environment and public discourse by foreign actors are by no means a new phenomenon. The Russian use of information manipulation and interference in the preparation and execution of the war of aggression against Ukraine shows this and shows how such activity forms an integral part of modern warfare. Just as modern technological developments can be a tool to strengthen our democracies, they are at the same time a channel through which we expose citizens to the risk of foreign interference and manipulation. With this in mind, I cannot stress enough the importance of media literacy as the safest and strongest shield of our citizens. The Defence of Democracy Package should provide a guiding framework for Member States to encourage democratic participation and citizen engagement in decision-making processes beyond electoral cycles. We cannot and cannot take our democracies for granted. Only by strengthening democracy from within can we achieve resilience to external interference. The Conference on the Future of Europe is such an example of strengthening our democracy. By training and raising awareness, we strengthen the role of citizens in the communication process. However, let's not forget, there are new modern forms of threat. They require the transformation of security policy in all respects, in the media, political and economic. It's up to us to take that responsibility. Only educated and educated citizens are strong citizens of the European Union.

Dear President, colleagues, enlargement policy is the most important test of the credibility of the European Union and our values. While this process has indescribable importance and added value for the countries in the process of accession to the European Union, at the same time at Union level, some Member States unfortunately act as if it were some sort of irrelevant and incidental process for European interests that would be best forgotten. Our reflections on whether to launch accession negotiations with countries have paved the way for strengthening the influence of other global and regional actors, some of whom have open anti-European positions. The report successfully identifies key challenges of the accession process, transformative role, transparency and coherence. However, let's look at the Western Balkans, what happened for example in North Macedonia and Albania, let's look at what is happening with Kosovo. The Serbian government must align itself first and foremost with the foreign policy positions of the European Union and I think we must clearly underline this once again. We urgently need to recognise that the European Union remains an attractive community for Member States, i.e. those wishing to become members. Colleagues, we are aware of the fact of the fragility of peace and geopolitical turmoil, so I welcome the efforts that are being made, and hope is given by the moves in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which must, of course, continue its European path after the elections. The enlargement process must gain a new momentum that will restore its integrity!

Dear Chair and Honourable Vice-President, Honourable Commissioner and Honourable Ambassador, colleague and colleague, let me first thank my colleague Rangel: Thank you very much for your full support on the road that will mark such a good day for my Croatia tomorrow. This will also be an emotional day for all of us MPs who represent the Republic of Croatia in the European Parliament. 400 million people, one border. And we'll be a part of it. In the tenth year of Croatia's membership in the European Union, we meet the last two objectives, namely joining the euro area and joining Schengen. We owe a lot of gratitude to our government. Without political will and President Andrej Plenković, this would certainly not have happened, and such an extensive evaluation process. Colleagues and colleagues, do not have any doubts about Croatia. We talked about it many times. Croatia has also introduced something new: an independent control mechanism. And I believe that this will apply to other member states as well. Croatia thus becomes integrated into the historical, civilizational and cultural space of the European Union. Thank you very much for your support, from the heart.

The Honourable Chair, faced with an unprecedented crisis, is aware of the need for an open dialogue with our European neighbours. At the beginning of October, we witnessed the gathering of leaders of European countries at an event that will define in the near future the relationship of the European Union with the other countries of the continent - the establishment of the European Political Community. So, colleagues, it is a platform, I would say, to foster the political dialogue that we always need and cooperation to address issues of common interest and strengthen stability, security and prosperity. It should be emphasized once again that it does not replace any political organization, structure or process. On the contrary, the European Political Community is a testament to the importance of exchanging views in the difficult times we find ourselves in. By organizing such a wide format for conversation, we have further demonstrated and proved the importance of multilateralism in today's international relations. In addition, the European Union has confirmed that it still has the power to bring countries together in its closest neighbourhood. This demonstration of soft power carries a significant geopolitical weight on the continent, which is facing its biggest conflict since World War II. Yes, a number of challenges were discussed: from respect for international law, the economy, energy security... And yes, there was the Croatian Prime Minister. By increasing the capacity of the LNG terminal on the island of Krk, Croatia will have the opportunity to supply Slovenia, Slovakia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Hungary, thanks to the government led by Prime Minister Plenković for six years. Therefore, the bizarre assessments of populist character we heard earlier, whose authors, colleagues, were guests of Russia at various political gatherings.

Only 14 percent of women report violence. One in six women in Europe is a victim of domestic violence and one in seven women die every day as a result of such violence. Violence against women is a cause of both poverty and social exclusion for women, which in particular increases the risk of not being able to exit the situation. But women are strong. Let me tell you an interesting McKinsey survey: Companies with the highest gender diversity in their executive teams are 26% more likely to have above-average profitability. If women were given equal opportunities by 2050. GDP per capita in the European Union could increase by €3.15 trillion. That's why I ask you: Why exclude half of the talents, knowledge, experiences, abilities - because women make up 51% of the European population, 226 million women's votes. Imagine how they would reverberate if they spoke with one voice against all those weak people who raise their hand just because they are women.

Dear Chair, colleagues and colleagues. The package sends an encouraging message to the Western Balkan countries that they remain a priority for the European Union. In addition to the country overviews we heard, the most significant message was the granting of conditional status to the candidate country for Bosnia and Herzegovina. In this way, the country's political elites are encouraged to cooperate, but the necessary steps must also be taken towards constitutional reform and the amendment of the electoral law. The importance of reforms was reaffirmed at the beginning of October, when Croats were voted for the fourth time in the election for the Croatian member of the joint presidency. It is high time to end this unjust practice. In addition, the European Commission and Members of the European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs sent a clear message to the Republic of Serbia. However, the Serbian authorities must cease to be two-faced. The European Union is Serbia's main political trading partner, with open accession negotiations. Nevertheless, Serbia refuses to align with the foreign and security policy of the European Union. Absence regarding the condemnation of the Russian aggression against Ukraine is particularly problematic. Serbia needs to decide where its future is and it needs to do so without delay. I express my deep concern about the freedom of the media in the Republic of Serbia and the rule of law, which are at very low levels. There is a political momentum. It is now their responsibility to prove themselves.

Across Europe, according to the World Health Organization, 110 million people live with mental disorders that result in nearly 250,000 deaths per year. These are terrible numbers. COVID-19 pandemic, additional sources of stress for our citizens, inflation, declining standards, war in Ukraine, threats of nuclear war, climate change, especially for young people, cyberbullying - peer violence... All this has a socio-economic background. Emotional pain, colleagues, is as strong as physical pain, and mental health, or mental problems, is not a destination, but a process. We need an integrated approach in this process. I believe that the development of psychiatry in the community would be a good step, some pilot projects have already been made in the Republic of Croatia. We need to build a society that considers therapy and talking to a psychologist normal and desirable. And that mental health is not a taboo topic: We can't just tell someone you're gonna be okay. He needs help.

Dear Chairman, Commissioner, thank you for your patience today, colleagues. As one of the greatest achievements of the European Union, Schengen embodies the principle of freedom of movement, with more than 400 million people, and represents the most tangible advantage of membership in the European Union. At a time when the European integration project is being eroded by the crises we are facing, and in particular the conflict in Ukraine, we need to give clear political support to the Member States, through admission to the Schengen area. Measures should be taken so that both Romania and Bulgaria, which fulfilled all the technical conditions in 2011, can benefit from their status. I believe that on 1 January next year, in the tenth year of membership in the European Union, my country Croatia will simultaneously enter the Schengen area and the euro area: two of the closest integrations at the heart of the European Union. The external borders of the European Union must be strongly protected because of the many challenges we face, and in this way we must shape a common security policy, and for those who know nothing about my country and call it different qualifications, I say: Do not use fake news.

Dear Chair, Commissioner, colleagues, destabilising democratic processes through disinformation is a serious battleground. In preparation for the military aggression, Russia has engaged in propaganda and media terms to portray Ukraine as a state in power of the Nazis who threaten the Russian minority. Although the Ukrainian people, by free will in democratically conducted elections, made several clear choices towards Euro-Atlantic integration, Russian propaganda sought to portray, not only the power in Kiev as liberating and thus illegitimate, but went so far as to accuse an entire nation of attempting to commit genocide. These lies, which have also been heard from the stage of the world's largest forum of the United Nations General Assembly, have been trying for years to place themselves in Europe's media, unfortunately academically, space, although it is clear that it is, firstly, a preparation for aggression, and later a justification for the illegal and unprovoked military invasion of a neighboring sovereign state. Accusing the European Union and the North Atlantic Alliance of endangering the very existence of the Russian Federation by their political acceptance into membership of all those who share the same values, and of causing the Kremlin to intervene militarily by their conduct, can be heard in some media, in the political space and in election campaigns, even during protests in some Member States because of the severely damaged economic situation, which is precisely the result of the devastating actions of the Russian political leadership and not the responses from the states and institutions of the European Union.

Dear Chairman, colleague and colleague, condemning Russia's violent annexation of the territory of a sovereign state, we affirmed our common determination to support freedom and preserve the territorial integrity of Ukraine, but also received that confirmation of the political and economic standing behind one country. Occupation and the attempt to forcibly seize and illegally seize other people's territory are the most blatant examples of violations of the legal system on which the European and world order is based, and the consequences we all feel - through speculative energy prices and the intentions of those who want to use war for other interests. We will not leave Ukraine regardless of the threats and intimidations coming from the Kremlin because, especially us from Croatia, who were not so long ago exposed to aggression and suffered great sacrifices, know how to appreciate the freedom we have fought for in order to enjoy the values on which the European Union is founded. There is a clear distinction between those of us who speak the language of peace and those who speak the language of war. We must persevere in our policies and our values, but be aware of Russia’s geopolitical strategy and imperialist aspirations. In defending democratic values, we need to support measures.

Dear Chair, colleague and colleague, first of all I would like to thank my colleague Bilčík for his report. However, I would like to address a few problematic issues that in any case do not demonstrate Serbia's sincere and genuine commitment to its European path. First of all, these are the suppression of media freedom in Serbia, which is why their citizens, I really think, do not have a real insight into what is happening in their country. On the other hand, we do not have clear evidence and clear commitments, above all foreign policy, which is very important, where Serbia really wants to go. When we talk about the rule of law and democracy, I fear that these are still unknown terms for many Serbian politicians. Serbia needs to clearly show if it wants a true European path. This also means that he has to answer the question of the missing in the Greater Serbian aggression against the Republic of Croatia, which is an obligation, I recall, embedded in the accession negotiations. Walking on a wire and sitting on two chairs is not a sincere commitment on the European path. With one eye to Russia, and with the other eye to the European Union, taking from one that suits them and from the other that suits them, and that is primarily the money of European citizens, is not a sincere and good path.

Dear Chair, Honourable Commissioner, Colleagues and colleagues, on this report, together with colleagues, I have tabled 61 amendments and I can say that some have been adopted, such as strengthening media pluralism in all languages in Bosnia and Herzegovina, calling for strengthening cross-border cooperation in the fight against crime and ensuring the European perspective of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Again, however, I want to repeat: Bosnia and Herzegovina must remain united, territorially integrated, with the equality of the three constituent peoples. I also condemn any disrespect for international and national norms and obligations, any destabilization in the country. That must be a strong message. The politics of Bosnia and Herzegovina, on the other hand, must finalize the constitutional and electoral reform and advance on its European path, aware that they need a fundamental transformation. The European Council, which I welcome, for the first time expressed its readiness, at the encouragement of the Croatian government and the Croatian Prime Minister, to grant Bosnia and Herzegovina candidate status. And I say hello. This is especially important for us Croatians and the Croatian government. Colleagues and colleagues, and for us Europeans. Bosnia and Herzegovina is a European country, our neighboring country, home to half a million Croats. The message is also that Bosnia and Herzegovina is approaching the reform of the Constitution and the electoral law, so that this key precondition that we often mention can be completed for the October elections in the best possible way. I'll finish: challenges, opportunities and solutions - yes, but not just opportunities. We must offer Bosnia and Herzegovina a solution because it is also a security first-rate issue for Europe.

Thank you, dear Chairman and dear colleague Mureşan, congratulations on your report. Dear Commissioner, thank you also for reminding us of the difficult path of Croatia, which had war in its territories and aggression against its country. Colleagues, today is a good day for Croatia, today is a good day for my country. I am proud to be able to say today in this Parliament, as stated in the report, that the introduction of the euro in Croatia has been supported since 1 January 2023; it is noted that Croatia meets all the criteria for the introduction of the euro as a result of ambitious, determined, credible and sustainable efforts by the Croatian government and the Croatian people. Thank you for that. We also received a proposal from the Council to lift border controls at the beginning of next year. These are exceptional achievements in times of economic and security crisis, but also recognition that will mark ten years of Croatian membership in the European Union. In addition to the announced accession to Schengen, joining the Eurozone as its 20th member is a further confirmation of our capabilities, ambitions and commitment to the integration processes of the European Union. I invite you to unreservedly support Croatia's entry into the Eurozone!

Mr President, I want to just say I’m very happy we can start to enter into institutional negotiations. So if you are in favour, thank you so much for that.

Mr President, according to Rule 59(4) of the Rules of Procedure, I would like to request that the file to be referred back to the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) for interinstitutional negotiations, in accordance with Rules 60 and 74 of the Rules of Procedure. Thank you very much, colleagues, for your cooperation. It’s a small piece of goodwill for today, but it’s not good enough. You know that.

Madam President, dear colleagues, I think we can go with these two reports, if you agree. Yes? So we have two reports. So, Madam President, I think we can continue with this.

Dear Chair, colleagues, I would like to thank everyone who participated in the debate. Many of you have highlighted the importance of the Fit for 55 package and the green transition. And, of course, we talked about turning the European Green Deal or the European Climate Law and the Green Deal into reality. If that's the case, we'll see tomorrow. I hope he will. Our key objective is to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent. I'm just reminding you of the one commitment What we all have and what we have heard a lot about today. In the whole process of the green transition, and especially in the context of the aviation sector, as I already pointed out during my opening speech, it is also necessary to provide solutions for decarbonisation. That is why I would like to underline once again the importance of SAF allowances for the aviation sector, to which we ensure the use of sustainable aviation fuels, but it is also of utmost importance that funds and revenues from emissions trading go to the aviation sector to encourage investment in innovation, new technologies and sustainable aviation fuels. I heard during the discussion, some dilemmas. There was lobbying, there was pressure, there was negotiation, but here we have to count only on our reason, on what matters and what we want to achieve. We must respect our goals, and these goals must be a reflection of our reality and we cannot allow the industry to bear the full burden. At the same time, attention should be paid to the situation of job retention, but also to the changes brought about by new technologies, which must be in line with the objectives we have set ourselves. Our goal is to preserve mobility and industry, while being aligned with our climate change. I will highlight once again a very important point in the context of the report with the Council, which is that we need to work to keep the new possible burdens for our citizens and passengers to a minimum and proportionate level. Finally, I would like to thank all those who participated in the work and all those who will support this package. This is a package for our future.

Mr President, dear colleagues, climate change presents a global challenge and it has already affected the lives of people on all continents. It is very clear that global action and global cooperation is needed to mitigate the effects of climate change. Aviation is one of the fastest—growing sources of greenhouse gas emissions. Aviation accounts for 2—3% of global CO2 emissions, and the long—term projections of aviation activity predict major increases in traffic. Before the COVID—19 crisis, the International Civil Aviation Organisation forecasted that by 2050, international aviation emissions could triple compared with 2015. I believe that concrete and appropriate measures are needed to reduce aviation emissions in order to be in line with the Union Climate Law, its commitments under the Paris Agreement. The European Union is a global leader in the fight against climate change. But also, I would like to point out that the Paris Agreement climate commitments and environmental ambitions cannot be achieved by Europe acting alone. Concrete action and cooperation on a global level are necessary; accordingly, the EU will continue to lead by example in order to tackle climate change and align with the EU Climate Law. Kolegice i kolege. ETS Aviation izvješćem usklađujemo zrakoplovni sektor s našim klimatskim ciljevima. Međutim, unutar tog procesa moj je prioritet bio ponuditi rješenja za dekarbonizaciju sektora. Svima nam je jasno da se moramo usredotočiti na naše klimatske ciljeve, ali isto tako ne možemo dopustiti da industrija podnese sav taj teret. Moramo se usmjeriti na očuvanje mobilnosti i naše industrije. Moj prijedlog rješenja su SAF emisijske jedinice kojima bismo osigurali korištenje održivih zrakoplovnih goriva. I to smo uspjeli, osigurati 40 milijuna SAF emisijskih jedinica dostupnih do 2030.,uz moguće produljenje tog poticaja do 2035. godine. Inzistirala na tome da moramo ponuditi rješenje za dekarbonizacije u zrakoplovnog sektora ako želimo uskladiti taj sektor s našim klimatskim ciljevima. Još jedna važna točka koju želim istaknuti jest činjenica da moramo osigurati da prihodi od dražbovanja emisijskim jedinicama budu vraćeni sektoru ako želimo vidjeti stvarni napredak. U okviru nacrta izvješća predložila sam da se značajan iznos inovacijskog fonda odnosno klimatskom investicijskom fondu namijeni projektima podrške inovacijama i novim tehnologijama u zrakoplovnom sektoru, naglašavajući područje održivih zrakoplovnih goriva te smo uspjeli osigurati da prihodi od dražbovanja u sklopu inovacijskog odnosno klimatskog investicijskog fonda budu namijenjeni zrakoplovnoj industriji. Također, svi smo svjesni činjenice da se od ukupnog iznosa emisijskih jedinica u zrakoplovnom sektoru veliki dio dodjeljuje besplatno. Postupno ukidanje besplatnih emisijskih jedinica i prelazak na stopostotno dražbovanje emisijskim jedinicama unutar sektora je realnost. Ne možemo od toga pobjeći, ali moramo odabrati pravi tempo kojim ćemo to učiniti. Trenutno ukidanje besplatnih emisijskih jedinica definitivno nije rješenje jer moramo dati određeno vrijeme našem sektoru, posebno uzimajući u obzir sadašnje okolnosti. Želim spomenuti i emisije koje nisu CO2 kao važan dio ovog izvješća, budući da one pokrivaju dvije trećine emisija iz zrakoplovstva. Naša je odgovornost i njih uzeti u obzir. Željela bih se dotaći i još jednog dijela, a to je nekoliko riječi o izvješću CORSIA Notification, koje je obrađeno kao zasebno izvješće. Sretna sam što mogu reći da smo ga uspjeli tretirati kao tehničko izvješće u Europskom parlamentu. Na kraju, kolegice i kolege, budimo svjesni naše odgovornosti. Pred nama je klimatski izazov koji postavlja temelje za reizgradnju i transformaciju. Kolegice i kolege, ovo je naša odgovornost. Uzmimo je ozbiljno.

Dear Chair, first of all I would like to thank Vice-President Šuica for her engagement and Mr Verhofstadt, thank you very much. However, what I would like to draw special attention to is certainly this process that has shown us that citizens are not always easily interested in such processes and political issues or direct participation as we have had in the past year. If by institutional work on 325 adopted conclusions we manage to make changes and if we meet the expectations of citizens, we create preconditions for a more permanent strengthening of trust in institutions and political processes. I am convinced that this will be one of the most important contributions of the Conference on the Future of Europe and for the future of European democracy. We are aware that our democracy has faced many challenges in recent years, not only in the Union, whether it be growing extremism, disinformation, manipulative information or the weakening of the rule of law. At this stage, it is important to assess objectively how many proposals we can actually adopt in the areas that fall within the competence of the European Union. I'll finish: the dynamics of global relations and change is fast and if we want to respond to them, we cannot look to the past because we cannot change what is in the past, but these initiatives are a sign that we need to change something in the future.

Dear President, Honourable Commissioners, colleagues, the times in which we live are challenging to preserve our mental health, and today, on World Health Day, we must ask ourselves whether we have exhausted our emotional reserves in the last two years. It was a time of daily adaptation to stress because, in addition to genetic conditioning, it is mental health that is subject to a number of factors such as the conflict of the socio-economic background, and now war. Dealing with stressful situations requires us to adapt and find appropriate strategies. This is a serious problem that, let's face it, is still a taboo topic in some countries. It is estimated that the costs associated with poor mental health in the European Union in the pre-pandemic period amounted to 600 billion euros per year, about 4 percent of GDP. This figure is expected to be much higher in the post-pandemic years. Particular attention should be paid to the most exposed groups such as healthcare professionals, young people and children. It is in fact a horizontal issue affected by policies in a number of sectors other than health, including education, employment, the fight against poverty and many others. For this reason, I believe that we need a holistic approach to provide adequate and sustainable responses to this growing health sociological challenge. For the past six weeks, we have witnessed daily shocking scenes from the war-torn Ukraine. Violence, death and insecurity. I support the efforts of the Commission of Member States of health professionals, as well as ordinary people who assist people displaced from Ukraine in their daily contacts. Thank you for all your unconditional expressions of solidarity. I call on the Commission, but also on you and your colleagues, to be strongly engaged on this important topic. With all the support so far, it is still not enough. Mental health issues deserve more public attention and more resources for support, research and treatment. Thank you very much.

Dear President, colleagues, Europeans, judging by the data, like to buy textiles. We buy about twenty-six kilograms of textiles a year, and we throw it away about 11, that is, more than 15 million tons of textile products are bought by residents of the European Union per year. However, 90% of European textiles are incinerated or destroyed even though they can be recycled. Of course, the footprint left is huge, but the regulations do not help because they are not uniform. The proposal is good, but one should also think about encouraging those who are at the forefront of so-called sustainable fashion. I believe you have heard of the concept of virtual clothing, which has strongly begun to change the use of classic garments. However, for this part of innovation and industry, which is already here, there are no incentive measures at all. The concept of sustainable development emerges as a significant global solution. Of course, citizens need to be made aware of the importance of the fashion and textile industry in achieving the climate goals of the European Union. By investing in research and development of sustainable textiles, which I have already mentioned, we can help the sector strengthen its competitiveness while contributing to the environmental objectives of the European Union by applying the principles of the circular economy to production, consumption, waste management and secondary raw materials. We must encourage products that are designed to be more durable, reusable, repairable and recyclable. By promoting the use of sustainable fibre types, we are taking the first step along this path. In addition, one of the proposals encourages the strengthening of the role of specialised companies that collect and reuse textiles and need to be made aware of legal obligations and waste collection and management objectives. Of course, we must not forget workers in the textile industry who most often come from third countries where there is no high level of protection and labour rights such as those present in the European Union. Trade agreements with third countries should acknowledge this reality and encourage our partners to be environmentally and socially responsible. And I will conclude, each of us can contribute to a wider use of sustainable textiles and that is why I invite you to buy responsibly.

Dear Chair, I thank the Rapporteur and agree that the topic is extremely important, especially in these challenging circumstances. The COVID-19 pandemic has already had serious consequences for the functioning of the European and global economy, which has also led to a reduction in tax revenues and, of course, indebtedness and expenditure. The result of such negative trends is an increase in government debt, which can lead to, clearly, long-term macroeconomic consequences for the European Union and the Member States. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that make up the so-called backbone of the European economy are particularly affected. In 2018, the gap between expected VAT revenues and the funds raised is estimated at €140 billion and is expected to rise to 160 at the end of the pandemic. On the other hand, the costs of SMEs complying with tax rules account for as much as 30 percent of their tax burden. For large companies, on the other hand, they make up two percent. Citizens are aware of the problem and require immediate resolution. When we talk about taxation, we must be aware that we will never find that satisfactory level, but without tax, simply states cannot function. I welcome the Commission proposal aiming at fair taxation of businesses and citizens, increased transparency and trust in society, fair competition based on coordinated and digitalised reporting systems. On the other hand, I also call for caution when it comes to value added tax, as it is an essential and specific tool for the national budgets of all Member States. We are aware that many finance ministers have had to balance in the past almost two years, that it has not been easy, that there have been numerous challenges, that it was necessary to meet small and medium-sized enterprises, the economy in general. We had a number of unemployed people, challenges, especially in the Republic of Croatia, in tourism that fills most of its budget from the tourism sector, so please think about it. VAT is indeed a tool that provides us with stability and government finances.

Dear Chair, Commissioner, colleagues, the COVID-19 pandemic has further accelerated the existing transformative processes brought about by the green and digital transitions, with a direct impact also on the labour market. To ensure the highest level of protection for European workers, we need to ensure agile European legislation for health and, of course, safety at work. These objectives also overlap with the European Pillar of Social Rights and have a direct impact on the lives of almost 170 million European workers and their families. Due to the current pandemic, we are still forced to work from home, which has severely disrupted the boundaries between work and private life. Despite numerous technological advances that make teleworking easier, we are witnessing an increase in mental health impairments, while the long-term consequences are still uncertain, but this is a challenge that we need to think seriously about. Cancer remains the biggest problem with more than 52% of job-related deaths. For this reason, I welcome the steps forward in this strategic framework, but at the same time call for better adaptability to the changes affecting the labour market. Strengthening accident prevention in my country, Croatia, we have great regulation, but there is always a shift forward and work-related diseases of course as well as preparedness for potential future health crises. By acting today, we are all aware of this, we are also creating the preconditions for an easier fight against the malign challenges of tomorrow. Regardless of the job description, where a person works, we must always have a clear thought, which is that no one's health should be endangered just because they work.

Dear Chair, colleague and colleague, batteries are extremely important for industrial European competitiveness and the fulfilment of the Green Deal, of course the ambitious one. With technological development, the capabilities and performance of batteries are increased, which further stimulates, of course, their wide application. It is estimated that the total volume of industrial batteries could rise to almost 4.4 million tonnes by 2035 compared to 0.7 million tonnes in 2020. Recognising this importance, the European Union has invested €127 billion by 2021 and an additional €382 billion is expected to be invested by 2030. I commend this ambition and keep it encouraging. I also welcome the efforts of this report, which sets out a common set of rules for sustainability, safety, labelling and information regarding the use of batteries. The report also defines requirements for the collection, treatment and recycling of spent batteries. In this way, we strengthen the functioning of the single market, promote the circular economy and reduce the environmental and social impact throughout all life stages of the battery cycle. I would like to take the opportunity to highlight a positive example from the Republic of Croatia from which I come. It is the success of young entrepreneur and innovator Mate Rimac whose company Rimac automobiles produce premium quality batteries for the world's fastest electric car Neveru. I also commend the recognition at European Union level that innovators and those already living through the green transition also have financial support. The future has already happened somewhere. Dear colleagues, and the future will increasingly be powered by energy stored in batteries, and it is up to us to lay the legislative foundations that will make them environmentally friendly and of course economically viable.