Date: 2020-05-14
Mr President, we are celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration in truly unprecedented and challenging circumstances. Today, we are faced with heart-breaking numbers: more than 100 000 people have died in the European Union. Let me from the outset express my sympathy with those who have lost their loved ones and my gratitude to the essential workers in hospitals and care homes, but also in shops, transportation and public services. Moreover, millions of citizens have faced unprecedented restrictions aimed at containing the spread of the virus. The pandemic is putting our societies under serious strain. But the crisis has shown that, with the right synergy and close cooperation between Member States and EU institutions in the spirit of the Schuman Declaration, we can provide efficient and effective solutions. The Commission and the ECB took exceptional steps. The Parliament and the Council adopted, without delay, emergency packages of legislation. The European Council has given overall direction. I will not go into details on the EU response. Let me just say that work continues with a sense of urgency and a determination. As Prime Minister Plenković said on Saturday, from the start of our Presidency, we have been dealing with complex and important issues for the future of Europe: from ensuring an orderly Brexit and agreeing on a mandate for negotiation with the United Kingdom to negotiation of the Multiannual Financial Framework package, discussions about the Green Deal and with a strong emphasis on enlargement policy and our strategic relations with the Western Balkans. The negotiations on the MFF for the period 2021-2027 will now intensify with a new approach in the changed circumstances. Of course, the COVID-19 pandemic poses an unprecedented and unexpected challenge for all of us, as well as unprecedented administrative and logistical challenges for our Presidency. We've had to react quickly and find solutions to be able to ensure continuity of decision-making and make sure that the Union can act. Within the Council, we have ensured effective discussions and rapid agreements on a number of European regulations and guidelines for more flexible use of European funds, easier procurement and production of medical equipment, and assuring the flow of goods across borders as well as the transport corridors. In addition, we have facilitated the repatriation of all European citizens from third countries, enabled coordinated monitoring of the development of the epidemiological situation and facilitated the decisions on reducing restrictions at a national level, which should also lead to a revival of tourism and business activities. Our response to the crisis is comprehensive and strong in order to preserve jobs, entrepreneurship and ensure a rapid and effective recovery while strengthening the solidarity and resilience of all Member States and our neighbours. Furthermore, I would like to highlight our work on enlargement; first with the new methodology, then with the Council decision to open negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia. I would also like to highlight the recent EU-Western Balkans Zagreb Summit and the adoption of the Zagreb Declaration, which reaffirms and consolidates a clear European perspective and future of our Western Balkan partners. It is a situation where the European Union is facing the greatest challenges since the World War 2. The Conference on the Future of Europe can serve as an important framework for reflection, open debate and a vision of our common European future in a dialogue between all Member States, European institutions and with full involvement of our citizens and other stakeholders. The Presidency will spare no efforts in working to reach a consensus in the Council as soon as possible and in securing an agreement with the other European institutions on the timing and manner of launching this conference, which is important for the long-term future of Europe. 'World peace cannot be safeguarded without the making of creative efforts proportionate to the dangers which threaten it', said Robert Schuman in the opening words of his Declaration 70 years ago. Today, the context is obviously different, but the dangers are no less real and deserve creative efforts proportionate to them. The motto of the Croatian Presidency: 'a strong Europe in a world of challenges' applies today even more than on the first day of our Presidency. I have travelled from Zagreb to this plenary for almost 10 hours to underline our Presidency's determination to continue working closely with the European Parliament. Indeed, it is my firm belief and we remain united in solidarity, we can emerge from this crisis together.