Seventy years ago today, the Schuman Declaration laid the foundation of the present-day European Union. Initially a community of six states gradually developed as a project of peace, reconciliation, democracy, human rights, cooperation and mutual solidarity, for which it was awarded the Nobel Prize in 2012, said Plenkovic, whose country currently holds the rotating six-month EU presidency.
After several rounds of enlargement and with the accession of Croatia in 2013, the Union had grown to become a community of 28 countries, but unfortunately the United Kingdom left us this year.
With the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, within a space of just several months, the world was facing an unprecedented challenge with huge political, economic, social and health consequences. This has also put never before seen administrative and logistical challenges before our presidency. Despite that, we responded quickly and found solutions enabling the continuation of effective decision making by the Council, now that the citizens of the Union expect it the most.
Croatian EU presidency
Plenkovic went on to present what had been achieved during the Croatian presidency.
After the orderly Brexit, negotiations have begun on the Multiannual Financial Framework for the 2021-2027 period, which will in the present changed circumstances be intensified with a new approach, he said.
An agreement was reached for a new methodology in enlargement negotiations. On Croatia's initiative and with great political and diplomatic efforts, in March the Council decided to open membership talks with Albania and North Macedonia.
After this important success, also on Croatia's initiative, the EU-Western Balkans Summit was held in Zagreb on May 6 at which the Zagreb Declaration was adopted. The document reaffirmed the European perspective of the six Western Balkan countries and announced regular high-level meetings.
With this political success, Croatia has positioned itself strongly and defined its foreign policy priorities at the EU level, the prime minister said.
The coronavirus pandemic
On the subject of the coronavirus pandemic, Plenkovic said that the Croatian presidency had activated the EU's integrated political crisis response mechanism in January and continued to hold ministerial and other meetings to coordinate the activities of the member states in the common fight against the pandemic.
Within the Council, we ensured effective discussions and swift agreements on a number of regulations and guidelines to ensure the flexible use of EU funds, facilitate the procurement and production of medical equipment, and ensure the cross-border flow of goods and traffic along transport corridors, the prime minister said.
He also mentioned the repatriation of Croatian citizens from third countries during the pandemic. We ensured the coordinated monitoring of the epidemiological situation and facilitated decisions to reduce restrictions at national level, which should help revive the tourism industry, he added.
The economy
In his message, Plenkovic also referred to his government's response to the economic impact of the pandemic.
Our response to this crisis has been comprehensive and strong in order to protect jobs and businesses, ensure a quick and effective recovery, achieve the sustainable development and competitiveness of both the European and the national economy while at the same time promoting solidarity and the social resilience of all the member states as well as of our neighbours, the PM said.
This is the time for bold decisions at EU level, he stressed.
In a situation when the EU is facing the biggest challenges since the Second World War, the Conference on the Future of Europe can serve as an important framework for reflection and an open discussion to set out a vision of our common European future, in dialogue between all the member states, European institutions, and with the full inclusion of our citizens and other stakeholders.
Plenkovic called on all the member states in the Council to reach a consensus as soon as possible as well as an agreement with other European institutions on when and how to launch this Conference which is important for the long-term future of Europe.
This is also a chance to bring closer, in a broad debate, the views of northern, southern, western and eastern member states, those that want more or less powers for the Union, weaker or deeper integration, and a larger or smaller common budget.
He concluded by saying that all these issues should be of direct interest to the everyday lives and well-being of our citizens.