Željana Zovko
Member of the European Parliament · PPE · HR
“Gospod predsednik, poštovani povjereniče Kadis, deset godina zajedničke ribarstvene politike jasno je pokazalo što našim ribarima danas treba, a to ste vidjeli prigodom obilaska Hrvatske, na čemu Vam zahvaljujem. Jednostavnija pravila, pravedni uvjeti na tržištu i manje administrativnog opterećenja.”
“Poštovana predsjedavajuća, čestitam povjerenice za povećanje Fonda za EU Rescue mehanizam za 11 milijardi eura. Kao izvjestiteljica za mišljenje Odbora za razvoj mislim da je to ključno. Godine 2019. ova kuća uopće nije imala interes da išta učinimo na tom pogledu, ali mi još uvijek ne ulažemo ono što je osnovno, a to su vatrogasci.”
“Madam President, Commissioner, High‑Representative, on a day when the European Parliament is voting on the final breakthrough for the implementation of the temporary agreement with the United States, we have good news coming from the diplomatic breakthrough in the US and Iran's deal announcement.”
“Poštovana predsjedavajuća, dok raspravljamo o europskoj budućnosti Bosne i Hercegovine, Hrvati kao konstitutivan narod iz godine u godinu postaju sve malobrojniji.”
“Any final agreement with Iran must guarantee that nuclear weapons can never be acquired by authoritarian regimes and that their support for proxy actors responsible for violence and destabilisation across the region is brought to a definitive end.”
“Potpuni prijenos odgovornosti na domaće institucije i snažnu ulogu Europske unije u procesu pristupanja mora se definirati i kroz jasniji pristup ove kuće, a i Vas, povjerenice Kos. Što želi Europska unija s Bosnom i Hercegovinom i što želimo s Hrvatima malobrojnim, koji su preostali u njoj? 2-0446-0000”
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“Gospod predsednik, poštovani povjereniče Kadis, deset godina zajedničke ribarstvene politike jasno je pokazalo što našim ribarima danas treba, a to ste vidjeli prigodom obilaska Hrvatske, na čemu Vam zahvaljujem. Jednostavnija pravila, pravedni uvjeti na tržištu i manje administrativnog opterećenja. Kao izvjestiteljica za primjene pravila ribarstva u Sredozemlju, pozivam ponovo da se ribarima osigura više fleksibilnosti i pravila prilagođena stvarnim uvjetima na moru, posebno hrvatskim ribarima koji većinom love malim obalnim plovilima. Članstvo Hrvatske u Europskoj uniji donijelo je konkretne rezultate. Kroz europske fondove i politike modernizirana je flota, luke i akvakultura i osigurano je više od 700 milijuna eura potpore. Hrvatsko ribarstvo danas je otpornije, konkurentnije i održivije.”
“Poštovana predsjedavajuća, čestitam povjerenice za povećanje Fonda za EU Rescue mehanizam za 11 milijardi eura. Kao izvjestiteljica za mišljenje Odbora za razvoj mislim da je to ključno. Godine 2019. ova kuća uopće nije imala interes da išta učinimo na tom pogledu, ali mi još uvijek ne ulažemo ono što je osnovno, a to su vatrogasci. Nitko ne pomaže vatrogascima da nabave opremu, protekli tjedan u Mostaru, znači, mi koristimo ovu opremu i za prekogranično gašenje požara i u Bosni i Hercegovini. Očajan, vatrogasac je došao i rekao: „Mi ne možemo dalje. Mi ne možemo više, mi nemamo opremu”. Znači, požari dolaze i u Hrvatsku, iz Bosne i Hercegovine, 11 milijardi, ovdje se raspravlja, mi za prevenciju još ništa ne radimo. Ništa ne koristimo, a 1956.”
“Potpuni prijenos odgovornosti na domaće institucije i snažnu ulogu Europske unije u procesu pristupanja mora se definirati i kroz jasniji pristup ove kuće, a i Vas, povjerenice Kos. Što želi Europska unija s Bosnom i Hercegovinom i što želimo s Hrvatima malobrojnim, koji su preostali u njoj? 2-0446-0000”
“Poštovana predsjedavajuća, dok raspravljamo o europskoj budućnosti Bosne i Hercegovine, Hrvati kao konstitutivan narod iz godine u godinu postaju sve malobrojniji. Nije dovoljno što su nestali u Bleiburgu, što su nestali u ratu i što su najveći gubitnici u ratu i nakon etničkog čišćenja tihi, uz pomoć međunarodne zajednice i nakon rata i kroz reformu izbornog zakona, koji još uvijek nemaju svoju jednakost niti punu implementaciju ustavnih reformi i presuda Ustavnog suda Bosne i Hercegovine i ulaze u još jednu izbornu godinu. I onda pričamo ovdje o još jednom kolonijalnom nametanju visokog predstavnika u trenutku kada Europa želi da preuzme glavnu ulogu za njezinu europsku budućnost.”
“Any final agreement with Iran must guarantee that nuclear weapons can never be acquired by authoritarian regimes and that their support for proxy actors responsible for violence and destabilisation across the region is brought to a definitive end. We must focus on achieving lasting peace in Lebanon, the only remaining multi‑confessional country in the Middle East and the victim of proxy conflicts that Iran sought to wage. Lasting stability requires a sovereign and secure Lebanon, and the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701. 2-0130-0000”
“Madam President, Commissioner, High‑Representative, on a day when the European Parliament is voting on the final breakthrough for the implementation of the temporary agreement with the United States, we have good news coming from the diplomatic breakthrough in the US and Iran's deal announcement. We look with hope towards the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, restoring the free flow of goods and energy supplies that are vital for global economic stability. It is needless to repeat from this House how much preventive diplomacy was needed and how many of the costs we are facing today could have been avoided. Food security, energy security and economic stability were all at stake in this game of war.”
“Poštovani predsjedavajući, kao članica Odbora za ribarstvo i izvjestiteljica za oceansku diplomaciju intenzivno surađujem s ribarima, znanstvenom zajednicom i pomorskim stručnjacima o budućnosti naših mora i oceana. Upravo zato sam u Europskom parlamentu ugostila predstavnike Pomorskog fakulteta Sveučilišta u Splitu na konferenciji o sigurnosti i održivosti oceana. Smatram izuzetno važnim da stručnjaci, znanstvenici i mladi budu aktivno uključeni u dokumente i politike koje donosi Europska unija. Kad govorimo o prostornom planiranju morskog prostora na Jadranu, želim istaknuti tri prioriteta na koje se Komisija treba posebno usredotočiti. Prvo, zaštita malog i obalnog ribarstva mora ostati središnji cilj svih prostornih planova.”
“We should therefore be careful not to create unintended consequences that could complicate the ratification of the negotiated EU–Switzerland agreement, which is now entering a very sensitive phase. We must remain firm in defending European industry, particularly in strategic sectors such as steel, while also preserving strong partnerships with reliable and like-minded partners. 1-0081-0000”
“Mr President, Commissioner, global overcapacity is expected to reach 721 million tonnes by 2027. When we speak about European steel, we speak about 300 000 jobs across Europe. But we also need precision and proportionality. Not all trading partners contribute to global overcapacity in the same way. We must pay particular attention to candidate countries that are progressively integrated into European markets and aligning with the EU acquis. Moreover, countries such as Switzerland – our fourth trading partner and we shouldn't upset these people so much now – are deeply integrated into European supply chains and are not the source of these distortions.”
“This is the direction we need to pursue. Projects such as Southern Gas Interconnection enhance diversification, reduce vulnerabilities and anchor candidate countries more firmly within the European energy space and together with our only reliable transatlantic partners. Please, Mister Commissioner, get this deal done. 3-0057-0000”
“Yet under the current design of CBAM, it is being penalised due to the use of national default emission factors, and the Commission does not have any idea or any way to communicate with them in order to facilitate their export of energy. At a time when we need trusted partners more than ever, we should not weaken those who are already delivering on decarbonisation and contributing to our energy security. Simultaneously, we must consider the broader strategic picture. Yesterday, in Dubrovnik, at the summit of the Three Seas Initiative, we witnessed concrete progress where multi-billion investments are being agreed with our consistently responsible transatlantic partners. New agreements with the United States were signed to strengthen energy infrastructure, deepen connectivity, and reinforce cooperation with transatlantic partners.”
“Mr President, dear commissioner, recent developments have once again highlighted the high cost of energy dependence. In such a sensitive moment, it is particularly perilous to undermine those partners who have proven to be stable, reliable and fully aligned with our strategic objectives. At a time like this, we must not disadvantage the dependable partners from the EU candidate countries, and we should support them, not hold them back. Take, for example, Elektroprivreda Herceg‑Bosne. This company generates electricity exclusively from renewable sources, cooperates closely with EU Member States and has consistently been a secure and predictable supplier in our immediate neighbourhood.”
“Without them, uncertainty grows, investments decline and global trade risks sliding into fragmentation. This is why WTO reform must focus on three priorities: predictability with a fully functioning dispute settlement system, fairness by ensuring a true level playing field, and flexibility by allowing the system to adopt new economic realities. 3-0363-0000”
“Madam President, we are facing a period of profound global trade challenges. In response, the European Union has adopted a clear strategy: diversifying our trade networks with like‑minded partners, strengthening economic cooperation with reliable partners, and reinforcing a rules‑based global trading system. At the same time, we must work with these partners to ensure meaningful reform of the World Trade Organization. For too long, European companies have been victims of unfair trade practices by third countries, from market distortion and industrial subsidies to discriminatory barriers that undermine fair competition. Our business needs a system that protects fair trade and ensures that agreed rules are respected. Behind every trade dispute stand companies and jobs that depend on clear, stable and enforceable rules.”
“I welcome the proposal by the Commission President that Member States should consider their energy policy in the same way that the Croatian Government has done, and to help their citizens to cope with this situation until we finally bring down this terrible regime. 3-0057-0000”
“This repression at home goes hand in hand with destabilising behaviour abroad. Iran's continuing support for Hezbollah and other armed groups fuels tension and spreads instability in an already extremely fragile region marked by rising extremism and multiple overlapping conflicts. The attacks targeting bases in Cyprus and attacks directed at territory of an EU Member State are unacceptable. Just to end, fuel prices cannot be the reason that we should turn a blind eye to what is happening there. The terrorism should stop and the menace for European citizens is greater than the increase in the prices of fuel.”
“Madam President, for many years we have dealt and voted for resolutions against Iranian oppressive regimes, and you all supported it. And just to those of you who are misquoting Albert Camus, he said, 'I believe in justice, but I will defend my mother before justice'. So terrorism cannot be defended, especially the one that killed their youth in thousands for months – the youth that wanted to live in freedom and democracy. The recent attacks carried out by Iran and Iran-backed Hezbollah once again show us why this regime represents a serious threat to regional and international security. For decades, the Iranian regime has oppressed its own people, violently suppressing protests and treating its citizens as enemies rather than partners in shaping their country's future.”
“At the same time, deepening destabilisation through the ongoing destruction of cultural and religious heritage represents an attack on its identity and history. Decades of enforced authoritarian centralisation have already demonstrated their failure. Reproducing this model will only lead to renewed conflict and further marginalisation of minorities. 2-0291-0000”
“Mr President, Madam Commissioner, the situation in Syria remains extremely fragile, and once again it is civilians and minorities who are bearing the heaviest burden. From the very beginning of the political transition, I have consistently underlined that the protection of all minorities must be at the core of any credible and sustainable solution for Syria. Safeguarding their rights is a prerequisite for peace, reconciliation and long‑term stability. Syria continues to face a profound absence of legitimate and inclusive governance. There is no functioning parliament, no credible electoral process and no meaningful space for civil participation. This institutional vacuum has only deepened fragmentation and mistrust across communities.”
“Defence is not only a military issue, it is about industrial capacity, civil preparedness, resilience of our societies and political leadership. Europe must take greater responsibility within NATO, strengthen joint procurement ... (The President cut off the speaker) 2-0126-0000”
“Madam President, Commissioner Kubilius, Europe is facing the most challenging security environment since the end of the Cold War. Russia's war against Ukraine is a part of a broader and long-term strategy aimed at destabilising Europe and confronting the West. This reality demands a clear shift in how we think and act on European defence. Building a stronger European defence means moving from declarations to real capabilities. Europe remains too dependent on others in key areas, too fragmented in its defence industry and too slow in decision making. At the same time, we are still not sufficiently integrating the hard lessons learned from Ukraine into our own defence planning. Deterrence must be credible. That requires not only defensive resilience, but also the ability to act decisively, including long range and operational capabilities.”
“We now understand why we need drones and we need a drone wall on eastern flank, on the western flank, where we should also involve willing Western Balkan partners in the drone world project. We have to protect our borders. We also have to take our American partners who were helping us with their technology at the time. And we have to keep fighting in Ukraine and in all these endangered border alliances, where Europeans are facing, together with our transatlantic partners, the menace of actual dictators. 4-0043-0000”
“While it is largely passing under the radar that Bosnia and Herzegovina is heading into new elections without electoral law that reflects the spirit of the Dayton Peace Agreement, the European Union is competing to offer its services elsewhere. Even Wolfgang Petrich, who bears responsibility for damage done to the Dayton Peace Agreement, recently stated, and I quote: 'I would say now that the Croats need a third entity'. The European Union cannot play a credible role in global peace-making while a core peace agreement in its own neighbourhood remains politically fragile and unresolved. 3-0085-0000”
“Madam President, at a time when the European Union is openly considering a more geopolitical approach to enlargement, credibility and consistency are essential. If the Union chooses to apply differentiated standards based on geopolitical realities, as increasingly discussed in the context of Ukraine, then those same principles must be applied fairly and consistently to other candidate countries facing comparable security, political and historical challenges. Bosnia and Herzegovina is clearly one of those countries. It carries the legacy of war, operates within a fragile constitutional and security framework, and remains exposed to persistent internal and external destabilising pressures.”
“Venezuela necesita una transición democrática genuina liderada por sus propios ciudadanos, basada en el respeto de los derechos humanos, el Estado de Derecho y la restauración pacífica de las instituciones democráticas. Solo un proceso que permita a los propios venezolanos determinar su futuro puede traer una paz, justicia y prosperidad duraderas a una nación rica en potencial. 2-0421-0000”
“Señora presidenta, señorías, el pueblo de Venezuela ha estado esperando que llegue este momento durante más de una década: la oportunidad de dejar atrás el Gobierno de Nicolás Maduro y recuperar su futuro. Durante años, los venezolanos han vivido bajo la represión y la pobreza en un país de vastos recursos, con su sociedad silenciada y sus libertades fundamentales erosionadas. Tras las últimas elecciones presidenciales, las pruebas apuntaban a una victoria de la oposición. Sin embargo, él permaneció en el poder y se negó la voluntad del pueblo venezolano. El pueblo venezolano merece el derecho a elegir libremente a sus líderes.”
“Europe cannot remain passive, and I call on the European Commission and High Representative to act decisively and introduce the full designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation, hold perpetrators accountable and demand the immediate release of all detained protesters. In addition, ensure unhindered access for families and provide secure communication tools to those at risk. The courage of the Iranian people is extraordinary. Europe must respond with a clear, united and credible stance. 2-0356-0000”
“Mr President, High Representative, today we cannot remain silent in the face of one of the gravest human rights crises unfolding in the world right now. In Iran, tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets, driven by economic despair, political repression and the struggle for dignity and freedom. Protests have spread across the whole country. The Iranian authorities have responded with brutal repression, shoot-to-kill orders, mass arrests, a devastating death toll and a total internet blackout intended to hide violations from the world. Women, young people and journalists are being targeted simply for demanding freedom and dignity.”
“And, together with our transatlantic partners, we must confront unfair trade practices that are harming our businesses, our industries and our workers. And to those who advocate distancing ourselves from the United States, today's situation is a clear lesson: relying on China puts at risk our supply chains, our jobs and our economic security. Europe must lead by example by upholding WTO rules ... (The President cut off the speaker) 2-0209-0000”
“Madam President, colleagues, the European Union stands at one of the most challenging geopolitical and economic crossroads in its recent history. China now controls around 60 % of global production and 90 % of the refining capacity for key materials. Its growing use of export controls is a stark reminder that trade can be weaponised and that our dependence on malign actors leaves us vulnerable. This is why the EU must invest in its own strategic capabilities. I welcome the launch of RESourceEU and increased funding for developing a secure, sustainable European supply chain. But this alone is not enough. We must de-risk from China, strengthen cooperation with like-minded partners and build resilient, strategic alliances in the Indo-Pacific, Asia and Latin America.”
“Kao potpredsjednica Međuskupine za otpornost i civilnu zaštitu zalažem se za usmjeravanje sredstava prema onima koji prvi reagiraju, našim vatrogascima i spasilačkim službama. Podržali smo osnivanje europske zajednice vatrogasaca, pozdravili uspostavu firefighter huba na Cipru, važnog koraka prema boljoj koordinaciji i zajedničkoj obuci. No, pripravnost ne znači samo reagirati kad kriza nastupi, ona počinje planiranjem. 3-0348-0000”
“Poštovana predsjedavajuća, poštovana povjerenice, prije svega moja sućut svim onim žrtvama poplave koju sada spominjemo, koja se desila prije godinu dana u Španjolskoj, prelijepoj zemlji. I ta velika tragedija nas je upozorila koliko je bitno pripremati se za krize koje nas očekuju. Kad sam se kao izvjestiteljica za mišljenje za novi mehanizam civilne zaštite te davne 2018. borila za njegov proračun, koji je jedva dosegao 205 milijuna EUR, zdravstvena kriza, COVID, prirodne katastrofe učinile su od ovog, u početku neželjenog europskog instrumenta, jedini način da se žurno pomogne svakom europskom građaninu gdje god da se nalazi. Danas, međutim, govorimo o 11 milijardi EUR predviđenih u strategiji Unije za pripravnost za ulaganje u sustave ranog upozoravanja, prevenciju i brzi odgovor. Ove ljetne sezone rescEU aktiviran je 16 puta.”
“Countries that have rejected the hegemonic approach of the big brothers in the unions of the past, those who escaped Russian hegemony in the Soviet Union, or Serbian dominance in former Yugoslavia, will never accept being placed in an unequal position in the decision-making process of further enlargement. That's the philosophy of further enlargement – we all have to be equal. The countries that are entering this Union are entering under the condition that they will be equal. So it's not about mercy, it's about the honesty to admit whether or not we want the further enlargement process. 2-0248-0000”
“Dear President, Madam Commissioner, Russian aggression against Ukraine, as well as the end of the wars in the western Balkans, has made us aware that the only true tool for bringing peace and security to the borders of the European Union is the enlargement process. The western Balkan countries have been dragged through the labyrinth of bureaucratic procedures of the European Union and the philosophy of whether we can accept more countries in our EU family or whether we must first change the rules of decision making. So this report goes along this line as well, dear Mr Gozi, although I really appreciate your role in bringing Croatia to the table as well at a time when no one wanted to discuss these issue. But it's not the time to discuss treaty changes.”
“Madam President, Commissioner, the announcement of an agreement on the Gaza peace plan proposed by President Trump came as a relief. Yet lasting peace requires clear commitment from all sides to address the real obstacles. As long as Hamas remains the sole security authority in Gaza, reconstruction and a genuine peace will remain out of reach. Its actions continue to undermine the security of both Israelis and Palestinians. The EU must show great determination to contribute to the success of President Trump's peace plan, with a view to facilitating the two-state solution and a peaceful coexistence. Coordination with international partners will be key to ensuring that the current opportunity is not wasted. We must seize this chance to help bring peace to a region torn apart by decades of conflict and violence. 2-0054-0000”
“However, in designing this project, we must take into account the full scope of NATO's flank, from north to south, from east to west, Mr Commissioner, as we already discussed, and we also must increase cooperation with our American allies – that remains key to the European continent's stability and security. 3-0038-0000”
“Madam President, for God's sake, I mean, I think we should first manage these speaking times here in order to manage everything in a geopolitical order. The recent incursion into European airspace showed that the threat is multifaceted, and that a wide range of means is used to destabilise us. The European Union must respond firmly to these hybrid threats. EU Member States must invest into anti-drone systems to protect their critical infrastructure against the drone attack. This is what Croatia has committed to, along with the participation in the drone coalition, to ensure a stable supply of drones to Ukraine to support production of drones in Europe. Moreover, to counter the Russian threat to our security, I welcome the European Commission proposal to develop European defence projects such as the Eastern Flank Watch.”
“Likewise, the European Union must increase its coordination with Latin America to fight against criminal organisations that constitute a threat to our European security, and yes, narcotrafficking – that's a huge issue for our European citizens and we should start dealing with this. Moreover, as a guardian of freedom of religion, the European Union must protect religious communities worldwide and cannot, therefore, remain silent in the face of the persecution of human rights defenders and members of the Catholic Church in Nicaragua. It is high time to start acting and to stop this communist persecution that we have seen during 15 years of communist persecution in Eastern Europe. This is happening in in Latin America now, and you should act upon that. 2-0531-0000”
“Madam President, dear Commissioner, Latin American partners are our natural allies. Despite these close ties, the European presence has significantly declined in recent decades, giving way to Chinese and Russian influence and enabling them to create economic dependencies that influence the foreign policy direction of Latin American countries. It is high time to re-engage with the region on areas ranging from trade to security and supply of critical raw materials. In this regard, the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement is key as it will participate in EU strategy to conclude new mutually beneficial agreements with like-minded partners and will contribute to counterbalancing the influence of the EU's competitors in the region.”
“The European Union must do everything it can to ensure that Afghan women can study, work or sing again wherever they wish and move freely without a male guardian. It's a matter of defending fundamental human rights that the European Union must uphold with vigour. 2-0455-0000”
“Mr President, Madam Commissioner, in what kind of horrific world could we imagine the deprivation of medical care for women after natural disasters due to a lack of women doctors? In what sort of dreadful world could we envision that a woman's voice could not be heard singing in a public? As inconceivable as it may seem, this terrifying situation exists. The Taliban authorities relentlessly invade every remaining inch of freedom for girls and women. The recent internet blackout in Afghanistan as part of an offensive against immoral practices is merely a symptom of the growing repression of the authorities to isolate the population of Afghan women even further. The European Union must act urgently to intensify pressure on the Taliban through increased sanctions against those responsible for these human rights violations.”
“As Co-Chair of the Inter-religious Dialogue Group, I emphasised that, without dialogue, there cannot be genuine peace. Dialogue must always triumph over hatred. If we engage in meaningful conversation and strive to understand one another, we can foster a world where every individual feels safe and valued. As Pope Leo said in our meeting last week, we should be a people of dialogue, people who promote peace and inter-religious coexistence in this Europe that we have to share among ourselves. So please, as a consequence of this debate, please, Mr Brunner, finally appoint this special envoy. 2-0397-0000”
“Madam President, the rise of violent protests against Israel, hate speech and the stigmatisation of Jewish communities across Europe is deeply concerning. So, dear Commissioner Brunner, I think it is last-minute that you appoint a special envoy for freedom of religion, and that we finally start to tackle the problems of people who freely express their beliefs. The horrifying attack on a synagogue in Manchester is a stark reminder of the fear that Jewish individuals face daily. Many are compelled to hide their identities, fearing that expressing their faith might make them targets of senseless violence. In European universities, Jewish students are increasingly experiencing discrimination. Across our continent, some feel the need to remove religious symbols from their homes, living in anxiety that history might repeat itself.”
“This is our last real opportunity to end this conflict and to secure the safe release of the hostages. The European Union must take an active role in supporting the success of this plan, and in laying the foundation for a viable two-state solution. I wish you good luck, Commissioner. 2-0235-0000”
“Madam President, Commissioner, exactly two years ago, hundreds of innocent Israelis were brutally and tragically killed, raped and taken as hostages. This horrific massacre was not a random act. It was a meticulously planned terrorist strategy aimed at erasing any possibility of coexistence between communities in the region. Hundreds of hostages were taken, in acts reminiscent of medieval barbarism, shamefully broadcast online, with the intent to spread hatred and destroy any hope for peace in the Middle East. Those who call for the disappearance of Israel and those who reject the two-state solution are the only ones who benefit from such heinous crimes. Fortunately, President Trump has presented a peace plan which constitutes a crucial step towards building lasting peace and stability in the Middle East.”
“– The good things are that our jobs now have predictability and stability: 15 % is better than 39 % or 50 % or 100 %, or whatever. If you didn't do the maths, that's a good thing. If you are measuring high blood pressure, going over that would be a really bad thing for our businesses. 3-0270-0000”
“This deal must be seen as the only first step towards building a stable, balanced and fair transatlantic economy. We must strengthen our coordination to develop a unified strategy for ensuring economic security and preventing unfair competition. Only in a strong, competitive and prosperous European Union, supported by powerful partners, can we continue to safeguard security, stability and our shared values. (The speaker agreed to take a blue-card question) 3-0268-0000 Jussi Saramo (The Left), blue-card question. – Thank you for your speech. You are the second one to say that it's not perfect. So I would like to ask: what are the good things in this Trump–von der Leyen deal? 3-0269-0000 Željana Zovko (PPE), blue-card answer.”
“Mr President, dear colleagues, before our eyes, a new world order is emerging. Authoritarian leaders are watching closely, waiting for the Western alliance to show weakness. This is why I welcome this trade agreement as a clear sign of renewed transatlantic cooperation – something that is urgently needed at this critical moment. The European Union cannot afford to find itself on the wrong side of history. To those colleagues who reject this agreement and call for harsher measures, I must say such positions are deeply irresponsible in these challenging times. Yes, this agreement is not perfect, but it provides stability and predictability – qualities our workers and businesses desperately need right now – and not demagogic talk.”
“So I'm saying this in English for everybody else to understand me: don't play with people's lives. We have to improve conditions for firefighters in the European Union. The European People's Party was very proud to have the rescue mechanism that helped, even in the Covid times, and that is helping to protect all European citizens to be saved wherever they are. 2-0239-0000”
“Mr President, I will just reply to the previous speaker. I'm very proud that, in 2017, the European People's Party was the leader in adopting the rescue mechanism when everybody else in this room was against it. I was fighting, together with my colleague Elisabetta Gardini, to get this budget that would be EUR 100 million at the EU level. Now Croatian firefighters are fighting so that all firefighters in the European Union are together. As an intergroup we are fighting for them. They recently organised themselves into the European Federation of Firefighters. We have to help these people to prepare them for the future fires. So no more demagogic speeches – we have to give firefighters the means, the money and the means for civil protection, for solidarity and the emergency aid reserve, for the early warning system and for the equipment.”