Debate contributions by Željana ZOVKO

Mr President, dear colleagues, war begins in the minds of the people, and it's in their minds that peace is also created. For decades, we relied heavily on American partners, and we still do for our defence and defence of our trade routes, at least in the Red Sea. But with unjustified imposition of tariffs, it has become clear we must take matters in our own hands and strengthen our competitiveness. We need to simplify it and we need to work and to attract investments. We now have a 90-day tariff pause. This is not the time to wait. It's a window of opportunity, a chance to negotiate the best possible outcome for both sides of the Atlantic; an outcome that allows business to thrive, to support millions of jobs; an outcome that strengthens, not harms, our economies; one that reinforces the largest trading partnership in the world. In an era of free trade and the rules-based global order, there is no room for protectionism. Protectionism comes at a cost, a cost that must not be borne by any single industry or country alone. A change in US administration should not mean a change in the fundamental strength of our transatlantic relationship. One thing must remain clear: the United States has always been and will remain our strongest partner and ally, not one-party regimes or autocracies. The European Union must continue with the calm logic that has made us the strongest single market in the world – the logic that allows small fish to survive in turbulent waters where large fish prey.

Madam President, dear Commissioner, dear colleagues, the summit of 19 May represents a unique opportunity to deepen our cooperation with the UK in areas such as defence, trade, foreign affairs and energy. We urgently need to enhance our partnership with the UK on security and strategic questions. However, in our dialogue with the UK, we must take into account the problems of every Member States, and notably the interest of coastal countries. We must make clear that the strengthening of our relations with the UK must lead to a win‑win outcome. Moreover, the UK Government must understand that for relations to be solid, it needs to be transparent. In this regard, we need clarification on the reasons why the UK Government is not willing to cooperate more with the European Union in the Western Balkans. Only by having in mind this transparent and mutually beneficial approach will we be able to take momentum of a reset in our relations.

Mr President, Commissioner, dear colleagues, as geopolitical tensions escalate, our oceans and the seas must be seen as a strategic field that we must observe and control. Attacks on critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea and continuing tensions in the South China Sea illustrate the need for a clear strategy of the European Union. In a turbulent, multilateral world order, the EU must sail with a clear agenda and position on our strategic goal and position in ocean diplomacy. The European Union oceans pact, which takes into account the need for ocean diplomacy, must give us clear lines on the future of ocean governance, with a continuing aim to ensure secure, clean, healthy and sustainable oceans as the fundamental basis. However, let me be clear: our fishermen must not become collateral damage in this pursuit. Aquaculture, as the fastest growing sector in food production, plays a crucial role in our food security and economic resilience. We must adjust our green policies to the needs and realities of those who are already struggling. They cannot be at the cost of small-scale fishermen who are the backbone of our coastal communities. We must protect them, not burden them with policies that threaten their survival.

Madam President, although Türkiye's public diplomacy remains the most prestigious art for showcasing the positive aspects of why Türkiye is an essential ally in the current geopolitical turmoil, let us be clear about our stance. We must unequivocally express our concerns about the partner that is arresting political opponents. Putting journalists in a jail and silencing civil society. The recent crackdown on democracy, including the arrest of the mayor of Istanbul, failed to provoke strong responses from the European Union, while the European Union does not hesitate to condemn other autocratic regimes. This raises a troubling concern. Is the EU applying double standards when it comes to condemning those who process free voices? Türkiye continues to play a significant role by hosting refugees and providing military support in regions where the EU lacks sufficient forces. However, are we going to be blackmailed by a NATO member that uses the weaponisation of migrants and its biggest role in Syria as leverages? Turkish society needs the EU to protect freedom of expression and uphold aspiration for democracy. The EU approach. Turkey must stop being hypocritical and must align with the way it addresses other autocratic regimes.

Dear Chair, I would like to thank David McAllister for his comprehensive report which also included my amendments to the key problem that remains to be solved in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Therefore, I welcome the High Commissioner's final decision to go to Bosnia and Herzegovina and address the issue of all issues, which is an amendment to the Electoral Law, where three peoples, after Dayton - thirty years after Dayton - would finally all get their equality, which was guaranteed in Dayton and signed in Paris 30 years ago. Serbs, Croats and Bosniaks must have full constitutional rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is guaranteed by a peace treaty. This is the key point of the bridge with the United States and the Trump administration, where you can point and finally make peace in the Western Balkans. Without this, there is no progress in any country in the Western Balkans, in Southeast Europe. Without it, there is no progress in Ukraine. Without this, if the peace agreement is not respected, we cannot expect to have peace and security on Europe's borders.

Madam President, tomorrow, many of us who will wake up with the God's will will enter from as many calls April Fools Day into a liberation day. Just another name. For some Europeans, it will be just another day of lent, preparing for the Easter holiday, going through the detox phase after the long Babette's Feast that we went through in the last years of living in the lah lah land of social heaven, that somebody else will provide for us. The news from the other side of the Atlantic are not the encouraging ones. We must stand at our own feet, take care of our own production, facilitate trade amongst us in a better way in order to become happier and stop complaining about somebody else bringing a misery into our life. The time of preventive diplomacy in our trade relations is over. We are entering a new phase where reciprocity will be the tool for retaliation, and the old friendship will suffer. In the meantime, we should stop philosophies about getting rid of unnecessary burden in order to boost our competitiveness and start taking brave measures. On passing the omnibus package as soon as possible through this House to send a clear message. Europe means business. We must also agree and vote through all these trade agreements that we are praising ourselves with. From Mercosur to Norway, Switzerland and many more to come. Situation on our borders are more and more worrisome, and we must be able to protect our trade routes with the same force in order to continue to trade with newly acquired partners. No one else will do it for us. Multilateral order is changing in front of our eyes, and we should finally position ourselves with our partners with whom we share democratic values and clear long-term strategic vision with a realistic approach of our strength. To conclude, we should get busy working and stop spending time being dependent on social networks and high-tech companies. Maybe that's the way to decrease our trade balance with the US. In the end, people have elected us to give them conditions to thrive with their families. Let's not waste their time. They will remember us with the jobs that we provide, not with the quotes and the pictures on Instagram.

Mr President, first of all, I would like to say 'hi' to the delegation of parliamentarians from Bosnia and Herzegovina who are watching us. It's quite a shame that we are having this debate so late at night and that there's no interest in Bosnia and Herzegovina, because in Bosnia and Herzegovina, there is no war. There's no incident. But it's a conflict waiting to happen for the past 30 years. This year, when we mark the 30th anniversary of the signing of a landmark agreement to secure peace, we are witnessing a complete inability to secure its basic principle, which is the equality of all constituent peoples. Separatist, but also unitary policies and disregard for the basic rights of all peoples and citizens have led to the serious escalation that we are now witnessing. The only way to stabilise Bosnia and Herzegovina is to reform the electoral law without which Bosnia and Herzegovina will, unfortunately, continue to be a time bomb in our closest neighbourhood. Without ensuring the constitutional protection and equality of all constituent peoples, Bosnia and Herzegovina will remain a state in crisis, an open space for external influences, even from all people who have no idea what they are talking about, who have no intention of ensuring stability, but the opposite. This is a major omission of our preventive formation, and the space we have left is filled by Turkey and Russia.

Mr President, dear Commissioner Kubilius, as you are presenting the white paper on the future of European defence, you will set the tone for strengthening our defence capabilities and industrial competitiveness. Some important elements must be addressed in this strategic document. As the foundation for our approach to European defence, we must take into account the security challenges of all Member States. When building the future of our defence, it is crucial that we are more open and comprehensive, including by considering the threats that our borders are facing, big and small, and from the east and the south, as we have heard here. The borders and the states of the eastern and south-eastern flank must engage in defence cooperation with our partners in enlargement countries that are participating in our CSDP missions that fully align with our Common Foreign and Security policy. By involving enlargement countries industry in defence procurement, we will fortify the security of European borders. Finally, all the stakeholders should be engaged in building European defence. Only by having a state in our common defence vision, all Member States and citizens will embrace this paper as their textbook for future defence of our citizens. Once again, I warmly welcome the announcement that the US is engaging again to help Ukraine at this moment while we are building our European defence, and the good news from Riyadh is an encouraging step in our transatlantic relations.

Madam President, dear colleagues, the proposal endorsed by the European Council on 6 March is an encouraging sign towards the strengthening of European defence. A good sign in times of stormy weather. However, the EU's much-needed wake-up should not make us forget that the American umbrella is vital for us. We still need the rainy-day friend, now more than ever. The strengthening of our defence must go hand in hand with the strengthening of our relations with our allies, including with the US. Besides the fact that the current EU measures will only produce effects in at least four years, we have to bear in mind that the United States and Russia together account for 85 % of the world's new nuclear arsenal. The European Union also also strongly needs American intelligence, with some Member States even relying entirely on NATO. And the relative autonomy from American intelligence would take years. However, time is running out now – we all know in Ukraine what is going on. For all these reasons, the EU must intensify its diplomatic efforts to find common grounds with our US ally. The EU defence and strengthening of a pillar of NATO can become robust within some years, but we don't have time to lose in not engaging in dialogue.

Madam President, Commissioner, Europe stands at the crossroad, a crossroad of security, trade and growing global threats. But above all, our economy is at a crossroad to survive or to thrive. SMEs represent 99.8 % of all active businesses in Europe, employing nearly 90 million people. In today's volatile times, we cannot afford for our businesses and industries to be the ones to fall behind, suffocated by excessive regulation. From the automotive and energy industries to steel and aluminium, we cannot allow them to be held back by unbalanced green policies and red tape. The Omnibus package is a final call, a final call for Europe to introduce simpler rules, stronger investments and unlock potential to boost our competitiveness. Alongside with increased defence spending, the only way forward is to create a more favourable business environment. The EUR 6 billion that we can cut in annual administrative costs must be reinvested in our innovation, research and development. History will not forgive us if we don't do this step now.

Madam President, I strongly commend the intention to speak on Bosnia and Herzegovina and the situation of Bosnia-Herzegovina regarding the recent US approach towards Bosnia, towards multilateral organisation and towards the unresolved situation regarding electoral law reform in Bosnia and Herzegovina. 30 years after the Dayton Agreement, we still have a High Representative who is receiving EUR 26 000 a month to keep Bosnia and Herzegovina in what? In disarray? We have to address the real issue that is electoral law reform. We have to close our OHR office. We have to bring Bosnia and Herzegovina to the European Union because America is leaving. The OHR office is staying only with Christian Schmidt and the Peace Implementation Council is highly influenced by Turkey and Russia. This is something that we cannot neglect in this debate. I will join the debate, I'm not speaking against the debate, but this debate and the title should be extended to: 'Urgent need to change electoral law reform in Bosnia and Herzegovina and end with international presence.'

Madam President, dear colleagues, I would like to draw your attention to the situation of minorities in Syria. In recent days, multiple sources indicated that both the Alawite population and Syria's shrinking Christian community have been deliberately targeted. Extremist factions associated with militant groups have reportedly executed civilians, including women and children. Christian families have endured brutal killings and violent raids at the hands of armed militants who have stormed homes, seized belongings and claimed innocent lives. The European Union must take decisive action in support of stability and humanitarian relief efforts to alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people, including Christians and other affected communities. Christianity in Syria and in some other parts of the Middle East-North Africa region is at a critical crossroads. It will either endure or it will vanish, leaving behind a profound religious, ethnic and cultural void. Europe must not remain indifferent to this existential threat. An External Action Service with its press release - it is shameful that they did not take this into account.

Mr President, dear colleagues, since 2018 the Nicaraguan regime has systematically persecuted human rights defenders, civil society organisations and members of the Catholic Church. The Ortega‑Murillo regime has also confiscated their assets. The regime has not only expelled them from the country, but also stripped them of their nationality and deprived them of their political rights. With this resolution that will be put to the vote tomorrow, we strongly condemn the Nicaraguan regime that repeatedly violates human rights against civil society, students and the Catholic Church. 245 members of the clergy have either been arrested or expelled, and recently the regime has ordered all remaining Poor Clare nuns to leave the country. The Poor Clare nuns are making an issue for the regime. As negotiator of the resolution on Nicaragua. I am satisfied that my negotiators understood that the democratic clause of the Association Agreement must be triggered, and that we must stop sending the money of taxpayers to Nicaragua while there are no independent NGOs. So, please, Commissioner, no more sending money there – because there are no independent NGOs; we are just feeding the regime! The key point of the resolution is to boycott and not engage in any parliamentary dialogue with members of the regime‑controlled Nicaraguan National Assembly – so no more excuses that you 'didn't know'! After this resolution, no one will be able to say that they were not aware of the severity of this regime. This resolution must be the last one, and the External Action Service and the Council must take severe action to punish perpetrators of the totalitarian oppression in Latin America. I call on the European Union to introduce the highest possible sanctions for those who are responsible for this persecution. I also call on the European Parliament to break all ties with bodies like the Nicaraguan regime by breaking all communication channels, including any parliamentary dialogue. Human rights defenders, civil society and the Catholic Church, persecuted by the regime in Nicaragua, must be our next Sakharov Prize winner, not only a candidate, since their courageous fight for freedom needs our support and they must feel that they are not left abandoned.

Madam President, dear Commissioner, the other day I criticised you for the US, the trade deal and the trade war that we are entering. Now, I must say, it's not easy the job you are doing here. While we were sleeping, the Commission was working. That's a good thing and it's a good point, but we could have received the document as well, because we were not sleeping – we were waiting as well to listen and to discuss these issues on how to improve European competitiveness, how to improve European defence, how to improve European security and on what you are going to deliver to us – I mean, obviously, in September – but while we are sleeping, Trump is working, the Trump administration is working hard and delivering in the first days much more than we are going to receive in the first month. So please, I would just want to underline some of the priorities that I would like to see. The White Paper on the future of European defence should be a guiding roadmap for our security and strengthening of the European pillar of NATO, and should and must renew security cooperation with our transatlantic allies and the UK. We must also deepen our ties with partners in the southern neighbourhood, as the protection of their borders – that we never really cared about – is a key to preserve our security as well. The second subject I would like to point to is the New Pact for the Mediterranean that will build comprehensive partnership based on areas of mutual interest and nothing else and nothing more – no financing of NGOs that will live from salon politics. However, the most important topic of the Commission's work is the strengthening of our competitiveness. The last one is AI. The First Amendment of the US Constitution that guarantees freedom of speech is also reflected in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. But freedom of expression does not come without accountability for what is being said. Therefore, I call for the end of anonymity behind the screen.

Madam President, in the Chronicle of a Death Foretold, Gabriel García Márquez is speaking about the death that will happen, and this is what we are speaking about for many months here, asking the Commissioner to send someone to speak to the Trump administration, to talk to the people and to see this transactional deal that we can make with this new administration. But what happened? We are listening about a lobbyist firm being hired in order to build the bridges. This is our preventive diplomacy, ladies and gentlemen, that the European Union is doing. We don't have a contact and that's a crucial thing. Last night's wake-up call – while we were sleeping, they were working – calls to strengthen our competitiveness, to invest in research and innovation, to reinforce our resilience in our economy and diplomacy. As European leaders and the tech experts gather in Paris, Europe sends a strong message: with our own investment and expertise, we can lead in research and technology, attracting companies at least from Europe and investment firms from the EU, while we still have time. While we much focus on a trade in goods, the US had a EUR 104 billion trade surplus in services with the EU in 2023. We must leverage this advantage.

Today I will talk about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in the context of war, conflict and geopolitical tensions. It is recalled that it occurred precisely in such circumstances, in response to injustice, suffering and the violation of fundamental rights. The aggression against the Republic of Croatia in 91 AD brought unimaginable suffering. Thousands of Croatian defenders and civilians were detained, missing or forcibly taken away. Despite all our efforts and measures, we continue to face the worst consequences of the war. 1,782 people are still missing. Unfortunately, 7,608 people are still wanted in Bosnia and Herzegovina. These questions should not be left open. Justice for the missing cannot be left to oblivion. I call on Serbia-Montenegro to finally take responsibility, open archives, share information and enable the fates of those who have unjustly disappeared to be resolved. The European Union must use its negotiating power to ensure that this issue is put high on the agenda of pre-accession negotiations. Accession to the European Union entails the value of truth, justice and human rights, and there can and must be no compromise. While families with immense pain are still searching for their loved ones, and their homes resound with the loudest silence, we have a responsibility. It is unacceptable that those who have information about the missing remain silent. Open the archives, without this there is no lock in the negotiations.

Madam President, dear Commissioner, even though this year has started with good news, with the fall of the Assad regime in Syria and the Gaza ceasefire and the hostage deal, the news from the Eastern Front are still raising major concerns. We spent our Christmas holidays overshadowed by heartbreaking stories of terrorist attacks in Germany. Our security forces do not have any holidays, and they are working 24 hours a day to protect us. If not now, when we will realise that significantly strengthening our defence capabilities is absolutely essential. When we adopted the Strategic Compass in 2022 while facing the Russian aggression against Ukraine, we realised the need to react to this new reality. Likewise, we must today take into account the need to invest in defence and the European pillar of NATO. We must also deepen our defence relationship with key allies such as the UK. This is crucial to address our adversaries that try to challenge our citizens' well-being.

Madam President, yesterday we heard the newly elected president declare his intention to put America first and to end its decline. Very good. That is why people vote for the president. They vote to end the crime and unsafety in the cities. I spent Christmas and New Year travelling through American states. I visited 13 states and 7 000 kilometres. All the people have moved out of cities riddled with crime and drugs that are being imported from Mexico and through unstable borders. These are the facts that American citizens voted on, not on Trump personalities. Europe faces tectonic shifts ahead, and we must act decisively. As we anticipate President Trump's next moves in trade, we must simultaneously strengthen our trade partnerships worldwide and enhance our competitiveness. It is possible to make both Europe and America great, but only if we work together. We need to strengthen our diplomatic channels with the new administration, while advocating for European producers and understanding the American business model. In the past, we failed to fully grasp the reality of the United States of America beyond Washington. Let us ensure we do not repeat that mistake in our engagement with the new administration.

Madam President, it has never been easier to access information, and yet it has never been easier to sell a lie. Is it true that the more smart the phone, the dumber the person using it? We can hear in this debate many concerns about cybercrime and about the DSA. I think that nowadays, when all the authoritarian regimes are using information as the communists, fascists and national socialists once did, we have ourselves a tool that all the democracies in the world can only envy. So, dear Commissioner, I expect you to implement this tool and to help our children and the youth and all of those who don't have such a privilege like us in this House, to prevent manipulation of information and to bring us back in the dark times of democracy.

Mr President, dear colleagues, the agreement is a significant result of a joint effort by outgoing and incoming US administration with Egyptian and Qatari partners. It shows once again that when the United States accepts to play its role fully on the global stage, it bears fruit. We have seen pictures of happy families reunited with their loved ones. However, many more are waiting in a state of unmeasurable fear to find out about the fate of the remaining hostages. The deal must be implemented. Hostages must be returned home, and essential aid to Gaza must go unhindered. As we are preparing to pay for the reconstruction of Gaza, the EU should question itself and think about its role in fostering a permanent peace. The priority is that the Palestinians put the power back in the hands of authorities that must be democratically elected. Palestinians should not be ruled by terrorist group Hamas, who can only bring tears on both sides.

Mr President, Commissioner, as we commemorate the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the declaration on empowering women, it is inconceivable to acknowledge that outside the European Parliament and Commission, women remain largely absent from global decision-making roles. Today, women continue to struggle with the impossible task of balancing their responsibilities as mothers while striving to achieve their professional goals, often feeling they are sacrificing one for the other, and some also fight violence at home. There is a blatant paradox in Europe, where countries claim to defend women's rights and at the same time acknowledge the visible violence that leads to the rape of the body and the killing of the soul, refusing to call this what it is – and it also leads to femicide. We have to put an end to this hypocrisy. Infanticide begins at conception; femicide begins with dehumanising women's bodies. The true heroes of today are the mothers who fight the system unfit to help them thrive.

The EU-Western Balkans Summit is a good signal that Europe wants enlargement as a key geostrategic move to preserve the security of its borders. One country in this mandate from the Western Balkans must join the European Union. Which country is left to the leaders to decide for themselves with their commitment and reform process. I call for a positive race for all those who have received a mandate from the citizens. As the most interesting country for the Republic of Croatia is Bosnia and Herzegovina, which unfortunately suffers in its reforms due to the complexity of the internal organization and imposed decisions years after Dayton. Despite the fact that Croats were voted out in a key law for their energy security in the federal parliament by the majority Bosniak community, without the consent of any Croatian party, yesterday they pushed through key reform laws on border control and personal data protection at the state level. However, we still expect a reform agenda essential for the release of a billion euros that would improve the lives of the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is blocked by these same Bosniak parties in the counties. This is a time that history will not forgive those who miss opportunities. In 2005, Croatia, along with North Macedonia, was granted candidate status, and Turkey began accession negotiations that same year. Where are these three countries now? I think the fact says it all, and to the lady from Italy to say that she stops lying to Croatia.

Mr President, Madam Vice-President, despite the joy that can be expressed in celebrating the toppling of barbaric and cruel regime, the current situation in Syria gives us no reason to rejoice. Indeed, we should refrain from giving benefits of doubt to the individuals that have overthrown the Assad regime. A lot of them are war criminals and represent a major threat to minorities, especially Christians, Jews and Yazidis. There should be no whitewashing, and we should not suddenly change our stance only because the Assad regime fell. Radicalism will not be solved with radicalism. The current promises made by the rebels towards minorities will not be kept for long. The meeting of the new minister for religious affairs in Syria with Christian leaders to promise them protection should not divert our attention. Many years ago in Bosnia, Ottomans came and gave them the same permit. And then in the meantime, they were burning churches, expelling people. And this is what is happening in Bosnia and Herzegovina with Christians, let alone in Syria. So don't be naive. Finally, appoint somebody in the External Action Service and in the Commission, who will be a fully-fledged Commissioner or a representative who will go and protect Christian minorities wherever they live and not make just some symbolic role in the External Action Service. We have to take care of the religious minorities, or we cannot be fully responsible for what is going on in the Middle East.

Madam President, I consider this as a real provocation because Serbia is not a member of the European Union, and there is no Serbian language here.

Madam President, dear colleagues, Russia thought that its aggression on Ukraine would last three days and that next to the giant Russian bear, little Ukraine would fall quietly. We are entering the third year of this David versus Goliath fight, where the biggest winner is at the moment the Russian highly paid propaganda – the tools communists used for decades to distort the truth. Estimates are that Russia invested one billion into the propaganda war. The fact that North Korea is sending its soldiers to fight against brave Ukrainians proves that we have not finished with totalitarian values and ideology where like-minded dictators unite their forces in order to preserve the autocratic regimes. And Iran is also joining its efforts with the autocratic bloc by chipping in with their drones. You have clear company of thugs on one side. It is up to you to take part in history in the making this is a clear signal for the democratic world. Ukraine must not be left alone as unfinished business, and we have to stand with them as long as it takes as we have promised. Don't get tired against fighting against oppression. History will reward you as it did with little David.