Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic on Tuesday presented the European Parliament with Croatia's priorities during its presidency of the EU in the first half of 2020, which was followed by a debate involving Croatian MEPs.
Speaking on behalf of the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), Ruza Tomasic said it was a fact that in less challenging times during a chairmanship "new and smaller member states have a greater chance of putting some of their priorities on the agenda," but the situation is not like that now.
"Throughout its history Croatia has shown that it is ready to put its shoulder to the wheel for Europe during challenging times," Tomsasic continued.
"Even though it often listened more to others rather than presenting its own authentic policies, Croatia now has an opportunity to show that it has ambition, a vision, and that it is prepared to lead Europe in certain areas," Tomasic said, adding that she expected the government to work on reforms, to refreshen "outdated" European policies and to better position Croatia.
Independent MEP Mislav Kolakusic warned that the EU was faced with an "exceptionally demanding financial situation."
The Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) "has until now enabled smaller states like Croatia to compensate for their economic losses, which in Croatia, for example, has reached €4.5 billion in agriculture alone since it joined the EU, through access to funds," Kolakusic said, adding that Croatia was in the plus by €1.7 billion.
Kolakusic underscored that the EU would be losing a great contributor with the exit of the United Kingdom and that enlargement would mean that "it will be necessary to help weaker economies as well." He proposed that the method of financing be changed and called for larger economies to contribute more.
Karlo Ressler (EPP-HDZ) said that Croatia's presidency is "yet another big sign of Croatia's transformation." He asked for the MFF to not neglect successful EU policies directed at removing regional differences "which unfortunately still exist."
Social Democrat Biljana Borzan also said that Croatia was presiding the EU at a challenging time.
"There should be no second-class citizens on the common market," she said and called for giving a "new boost" to the youth guarantee programme, facilitating cross-border business and a minimum European wage.
Borzan called for long-term economic instruments, for socially responsible business, for consumer protection as the "weakest aspect on the market," and for guarantees for product quality and safety.
Tonino Picula (S&D) is pleased that Croatia's presidency has incorporated the islands which have proven that they can be leaders in energy transition and welcomed the renewal of enlargement policy.
He recalled that he would make his recommendations on behalf of the European Parliament for the Zagreb summit in May and proposed that the Conference on the Future of Europe include Western Balkan countries.
Liberal MEP Valter Flego hopes that Croatia will not be remembered during its presidency only for Brexit and that it needs to provide new ideas and new steps, underscoring that education is poorly represented in European priorities.
He suggested that the Bologna Declaration be expanded to include secondary school education so that student knowledge and competitiveness could be more harmonised.
The most critical MEP was Independent Ivan Vilibor Sincic who said that Plenkovic's government was marked with "lawlessness" and "corruption," citing his own personal example as a Member of Parliament who submitted an official question to the prime minister but never received a response. "If you do not reply to MPs what can citizens expect," he wondered.
MEP Suncana Glavak (EPP-HDZ) said she was certain Croatia would be a strong advocate of a just division of funds from the MFF and that it would reinstate the confidence of citizens in the Old Continent. She called for equal opportunities for all citizens.