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Poniedziałek, 4 lipca 2022 r. - Strasburg

16. Przyjęcie euro przez Chorwację 1 stycznia 2023 r. (debata)

  Predsedajúci. – Ďalším bodom programu je rozprava o správe, ktorú predkladá Siegfried Mureşan v mene Výboru pre hospodárske a menové veci, o návrhu rozhodnutia Rady o prijatí eura Chorvátskom 1. januára 2023 (COM(2022)0282 - - 2022/0179(NLE) (A9-0187/2022).

Ako prvý v nej vystúpi spravodajca pán Siegfried Mureşan.

  Siegfried Mureşan, rapporteur. – Mr President, Commissioner, dear colleagues. On 1 January 2023, Croatia will become the 20th member of the euro area. This is good news for the people of Croatia. It is good news for the Croatian economy and for Croatian businesses. It is good news for the European Union as a whole. This is why here from the European Parliament, we need to congratulate the people of Croatia and the Croatian authorities for all the achievements of recent years and for fulfilling all the criteria required for joining the euro area.

On 1 June, the European Central Bank and the European Commission both concluded that Croatia fulfils all legally—required conditions to join the euro area. Its debt complies with the requirements, its interest rate, its exchange rate, its inflation, and Croatian legislation is in line with the Treaty, including with the statute of the European Central Bank.

This is why we, as the European Parliament, say very clearly that once a country fulfils all legal requirements, it should be accepted to join without any further delay. This is why I have put forward, during the month of June, the draft report here to the ECON Committee in Parliament in which I propose that we give a green light to Croatia joining the euro area on 1 January 2023.

I would like to thank my shadow rapporteurs and I would like to thank our colleagues from the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs for voting with an overwhelming majority – 43 votes in favour, just one vote against, and two abstentions – and giving a green light on the side of Parliament for this important achievement. This shows that de facto there is no opposition here in the European Parliament towards Croatia joining the euro area.

During my visit to Croatia, I could see on the ground that Croatia fulfils the conditions in a very sustainable manner. Throughout the crisis, throughout the economic and social crisis generated by the Coronavirus that debt, the interest rate, inflation – all the economic indicators – respected the rules. I could also see that the politicians in that country, the main political parties, are supporting this. I could also see the popular support in the country in view of Croatia finally using the euro as their currency.

This means that the people of Croatia can easier travel to other countries of the euro area. It will be easier for investments from other countries of the euro area to invest in Croatia, to help develop the Croatian economy to generate jobs. It will be easier to trade. It will be easier for European tourists to go and enjoy the beautiful landscapes in Croatia. I am also of the strong belief that Croatian authorities know that 1 January will be the beginning, not the end, of the further economic development of Croatia.

Reforms need to continue. The economy needs to become even stronger and more competitive and, of course, the EU funds from the traditional budget of the European Union and from the Recovery and Resilience Facility can play an important role. During my discussions with Croatian Government representatives, the National Bank and colleagues in Parliament, I had the feeling that the authorities are aware of the importance that the EU funds grant, that they are committed to further managing people’s money and the budget with care, to further strengthening and reforming the economy.

This is why, to conclude, once again thank you very much to you, to our co-rapporteurs. A big word of congratulations to the people of Croatia. We are looking forward to welcoming Croatia as new member of the euro area. We are of the strong belief that this will be good not only for Croatia but for the European Union as a whole. It shows the trust that exists in our common currency.

  Paolo Gentiloni, Member of the Commission. – Mr President, I am very pleased to be here to discuss the adoption prospects for Croatia. This is an historical step for this country – a country that 30 years ago was at war. And I think we see the progress that was made with the EU candidates who are entering the EU and now the prospects of joining the euro. The Parliament is playing its full part in the enlargement procedure. And I want to thank all of you and the rapporteur, the honourable Mr Mureşan.

On 1 June, as you remembered, the Commission concluded its convergence report that Croatia has achieved the high degree of sustainable economic convergence with the euro area economy and is ready to adopt the euro on 1 January next year.

The ECB report was fully aligned with ours. Croatia has fulfilled the four economic convergence criteria, and its national legislation on monetary affairs is also in line with the Treaty. The Commission has therefore made the legal proposal, required by the Treaty, for the introduction of the single currency. We have examined Croatia thoroughly and fairly in full respect of the principle of equal treatment. The conditions for Croatia to thrive in the euro area are clearly in place.

Following our proposal, euro area member countries in the Council adopted the recommendation supporting Croatia’s adoption of the euro. The European Council agreed that Croatia fulfils the convergence criteria of the Treaty and is ready to adopt the single currency.

Now I invite the European Parliament to signal its political support for the euro adoption by Croatia on 1 January 2023. Following the vote of the European Parliament, the Council will be able to adopt the final legislative proposal on 12 July. And this would give sufficient time for Croatia to prepare for the 1 January changeover.

Above all, this would be a message of trust and determination – the strong signal that European monetary integration is a successful project. It will be a reminder that sustained policy efforts generate concrete results.

Joining the euro area will contribute to increase Croatia’s potential growth and to strengthen the adjustment capacity of its economy. To this end, the effective implementation of Croatia’s recovery and resilience plan will be key. As you know, based on the fulfilment of first milestones and targets, the Commission made a first payment of EUR 700 million to Croatia last week and we look forward to more reforms and investment.

So, as the honourable Mr Mureşan said, it is a starting point, but a starting point of historical importance for Croatia.

  Markus Ferber, im Namen der PPE-Fraktion. – Herr Präsident, liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Für einen Beitritt in der Eurozone legen wir aus guten Gründen hohe Maßstäbe an, denn wir haben in der Vergangenheit leider gesehen, in welche Schwierigkeiten die Eurozone kommen kann, wenn ein Mitgliedstaat in wirtschaftliche Schwierigkeiten gerät.

Kroatien hat diese hohe Hürde mit Bravour genommen. Die Regierung von Andrej Plenković hat in einem ganz schwierigen Umfeld in den vergangenen Jahren beachtliche Fortschritte auf dem Weg in die Eurozone gemacht.

Wenn wir auf die einschlägigen wirtschaftlichen Kennziffern schauen, zeigt sich, dass Kroatien in vielen Bereichen besser dasteht als so manches etablierte Mitglied der Eurozone. Das sollte uns doch zu denken geben, denn das gemeinschaftliche Ziel, nämlich die Stabilität der gemeinsamen Währung zu bewahren, sollte uns miteinander verbinden. Es gilt ja, dass jedes Mitglied der Eurozone eine Mitverantwortung für die Gemeinschaft als Ganzes hat. Daraus leitet sich auch eine Verantwortung für eine verantwortungsvolle Haushaltspolitik ab.

Ich freue mich und darf für die EVP sagen, dass wir unterstützen, dass Kroatien das 20. Mitglied der Eurozone wird, und hoffe, dass sich andere Mitgliedstaaten ein Beispiel an der kroatischen Wirtschafts- und Haushaltspolitik nehmen.

  Margarida Marques, em nome do Grupo S&D. – Senhor Presidente, Senhor Comissário, a adesão da Croácia ao euro é um sinal de unidade e de uma crescente integração na União Europeia, de um novo alargamento da união monetária e do reforço do euro como moeda global.

A moeda única continua a ser vista como um projeto sólido, de futuro e o garante de maior segurança e estabilidade aos Estados-Membros.

A Croácia cumpriu todos os critérios de adesão. A entrada para o grupo dos países com o nível mais elevado de integração europeia é um passo histórico para o país. Cabe agora aos cidadãos e às instituições croatas retirarem plenamente todas as vantagens de estar numa união monetária robusta para tornar a economia e a sociedade mais resilientes, sólidas, competitivas e ainda mais europeias.

A adesão da Croácia à moeda única em 2023 é o primeiro processo de integração europeu desde o Brexit. Finalmente, como presidente do grupo de trabalho dos países candidatos ao euro da Comissão dos Assuntos Económicos e Monetários, queria congratular-me com este percurso que fez a Croácia, esperando que outros se lhe juntem.

  Georgios Kyrtsos, on behalf of the Renew Group. – Mr President, today is a good day for Europe because we are sending positive political messages. Croatia sends the message that it was able to move from war and destruction to European development within a few decades. A very good example – a perfect example – for all of the countries that aspire to join the European Union. The eurozone sends the message that it was able to deal, to cope with the European economic crisis and that it even found a way to strengthen and continuously expand itself.

Together, we sent the message that the European Union, despite difficulties and lost opportunities and lost time, always finds the way to progress and strengthen itself. The last message is of particular importance, in my view, since we face new major challenges.

  France Jamet, au nom du groupe ID. – Monsieur le Président, mes chers collègues, l’euro va mal. Sa baisse violente depuis le mois de février démontre sa fragilité. Notre économie va mal. Pour Mme Christine Lagarde, présidente de la BCE, l’inflation inquiétante qui s’installe sera durable et excessivement élevée.

Pourquoi donc l’Union européenne, au fait de la difficulté de nos États au lendemain de la COVID-19 et en pleine crise ukrainienne, décide-t-elle aujourd’hui d’autoriser la Croatie à adopter la monnaie unique, alors même que ce pays n’a appliqué aucune des 17 recommandations du groupe d’États contre la corruption du Conseil de l’Europe? Alors même que cela va renforcer les divergences économiques au sein de la zone euro, qui se creusent chaque jour un peu plus? Les premières victimes seront les plus modestes: nos petites entreprises, nos épargnants, que vous allez déclasser sans la moindre hésitation.

Alors moi, je vous le dis: il faut en finir avec cette Europe qui se fait envers et contre tout, et surtout contre les peuples. D’ailleurs, à propos de peuples, je serais bien curieuse de savoir si le peuple croate a été consulté sur ce sujet.

  Eugen Jurzyca, za skupinu ECR. – Vážený pán predsedajúci, Chorvátsko vstupuje do Eurozóny vo veľmi vypätých časoch rekordnej inflácie a veľkej neistoty. Čosi podobné zažil aj Slovensko, odkiaľ som, ktoré zaviedlo spoločnú menu v roku 2009 počas finančnej krízy. Zo skúseností vieme, že samotné zavedenie eura v zásade nespôsobuje zdražovanie a pre malú krajinu môže byť v ťažkých časoch výhodnejšie z dôvodu väčšej menovej stability. Nezabudnime však, že garantom stability jednotnej meny nie je počet členov, ale jej fiškálne pravidlá. Vstup do eurozóny preto nesmie byť koncom, ale začiatkom cesty k rozpočtovej zodpovednosti. Nech je mementom pre nás 19 členov eurozóny, že fiškálna konsolidácia a reformy, ktoré očakávame od Chorvátska, sú nevyhnutnosťou aj pre nás samotných. Len fiškálna zodpovednosť zaručí, že euro bude prínosom pre všetkých a nie príťažou pre zodpovedných.

  Sunčana Glavak (PPE). – Hvala lijepa predsjedavajući i poštovani kolega Mureşan, čestitam na izvješću. Poštovani povjereniče, hvala i vama što ste podsjetili na težak put Hrvatske koja je imala rat na svojim prostorima i agresiju na svoju zemlju.

Kolegice i kolege, danas je dobar dan za Hrvatsku, danas je dobar dan za moju zemlju. Ponosna sam što mogu danas u ovom Parlamentu reći, kako se navodi u izvješću, podržava se uvođenje eura u Hrvatskoj od 1. siječnja 2023. godine; konstatira se da Hrvatska ispunjava sve kriterije za uvođenje eura kao rezultat ambicioznih, odlučnih, vjerodostojnih i održivih napora hrvatske vlade i hrvatskoga naroda. Hvala vam na tome.

Primili smo i prijedlog Vijeća da se granične kontrole ukinu s početkom sljedeće godine. Ovo su iznimna postignuća u vremenima gospodarske i sigurnosne krize, ali i priznanje koje će obilježiti deset godina hrvatskog članstva u Europskoj uniji.

Uz najavljeno pristupanje Schengenu, ulazak u eurozonu kao njezina 20. članica dodatna je potvrda naših sposobnosti, ambicija i predanosti integracijskim procesima Europske unije. Pozivam vas da bezrezervno podržite hrvatski ulazak u eurozonu!

  Biljana Borzan (S&D). – Zahvaljujem poštovani predsjedavajući, kolegice i kolege, poštovani povjereniče, želim prvo čestitati izvjestiteljima, osobito mojoj kolegici Margaridi na ovom pozitivnom izvješću.

Nebrojeno puta se pokazalo kako u vremenima krize poput ove snaga je u zajedništvu i integraciji. Upravo zato je daljnja integracija Hrvatske u Europsku uniju pozitivna za obje strane. Vjerujem da će ulazak Hrvatske u eurozonu ojačati kako hrvatsko tako i europsko gospodarstvo.

Ali ne smijemo zaboraviti kako euro nije cilj, već sredstvo za bolji život naših građana. Kvalitetna kontrola procesa prelaska u euro je ključna kako bi se građane spasilo od dodatnih poskupljenja.

Svi skupa moramo raditi kako bismo osigurali da se ova pozitivna vijest prelije na svakodnevnicu naših ljudi.

  Ladislav Ilčić (ECR). – Poštovani predsjedavajući, dame i gospodo, očito je da će Hrvatska uvesti euro. Uvođenje eura ipak nije baš puno dobra donijelo Portugalu, Grčkoj ili Italiji. Mi smo u Hrvatskoj to uvođenje mogli odgoditi kao što su to učinile Poljska, Švedska ili Mađarska, zemlje koje se sa svojim valutama jako dobro razvijaju.

Dakle, pametne zemlje surađuju s drugim europskim zemljama, ali i same određuju kada i koliko tijesno će se integrirati. Nažalost, vladajući u Hrvatskoj nikad nisu željeli ni raspravljati o tome, niti smo ikada koristili prednost imanja vlastite valute jer je za federaliste svih boja jedini politički cilj što veća integracija Hrvatske u neku europsku super-državu, bez obzira koji dio te integracije je za nas stvarno dobar.

Vladajući u Hrvatskoj nisu željeli provesti referendum o tome kada treba uvesti euro, no nadam se da ćemo se izboriti za to da ubuduće gospodarski interesi hrvatskog naroda budu prvi i glavni kriterij svih gospodarskih odluka.

  Andreas Schwab (PPE). – Herr Präsident, Herr Kommissar, liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Es ist ein schöner Moment, dass Kroatien in diesem Jahr das 20. Land der Eurozone werden soll, und unsere Kollegen haben bereits darauf hingewiesen: Kroatien hat sich diesen Weg hart erarbeitet. Denn die Währungsunion – Herr Kommissar, Sie legen immer Wert darauf –, ist regelbasiert, und deswegen ist, wer wie Kroatien die Regeln respektiert, darum bereit für den Euro.

Das ist außerordentlich positiv, und deswegen sollten wir den Kurs der dortigen Regierung entsprechend unterstützen und sicherstellen, dass die gemeinsame Geldpolitik der Eurozone auch in Zukunft den Konvergenzkriterien folgt, denn ohne fiskalische Disziplin ist eine Währungsunion nicht funktionsfähig. Deswegen hat Kroatien sich nach hartem Anstrengen am Ende für diesen Beitritt bewährt.

Es ist schon darauf hingewiesen worden, dass nicht überall in der Europäischen Union derartige finanzielle Voraussetzungen bestehen. Deswegen wird es darum gehen, in den kommenden Monaten nicht nur Kroatien in die Eurozone zu führen, sondern auch sicherzustellen, dass wir die Inflation in der Eurozone insgesamt und die Haushaltspolitik der Mitgliedstaaten auf einen soliden Weg führen.

  Tomislav Sokol (PPE). – Poštovani povjereniče, poštovani izvjestitelju, kolegice i kolege, nakon devet godina članstva u Europskoj uniji Hrvatska je nadomak ostvarenja još jednog strateškog cilja.

Ulaskom u eurozonu uklonit će se transakcijski troškovi i valutni rizik, od čega će najviše profitirati hrvatski izvoznici i turizam. Sama najava uvođenja eura već je dovela do rasta nacionalnog kreditnog rejtinga, što omogućava niže kamatne stope za poduzeća i građane. Također, ovim korakom, kao i ulaskom u Schengen, Hrvatska je pokazala volju za još čvršćim integriranjem u europsku zajednicu naroda i država. Općenito možemo reći da ulazak u eurozonu predstavlja veliku korist za hrvatsko gospodarstvo i društvo u cjelini.

Ispunjavanje uvjeta za uvođenje eura, posebno onih vezanih uz javni dug i deficit, nije bilo lako. Vlada HDZ-a uspjela je racionalnom i uravnoteženom fiskalnom politikom smanjiti javni dug naslijeđen od prethodne socijalističke vlade s 83,3 % na razinu 81,1 % na kraju 2019. Time smo pokazali da se ekonomska politika može voditi na način koji potiče gospodarski rast, ali bez prekomjerne i neodržive proračunske potrošnje.

Uvođenje eura predstavlja veliko postignuće za Republiku Hrvatsku te je stoga zadovoljstvo podržati ovo izvješće i iskreno zahvaliti izvjestitelju na njegovom radu.

Vystúpenia podľa postupu prihlásenia o slovo zdvihnutím ruky

  Franc Bogovič (PPE). – Gospod predsednik! Dovolite, da takoj na začetku čestitam prebivalkam in prebivalcem sosednje Hrvaške, njeni vladi za uspešno izpeljavo vseh reform, ki so pripeljale do tega, da Hrvaška izpolnjuje vse pogoje za vstop v euroobmočje, in na drugi strani, da so tudi ljudje izrazili pripravljenost za vstop v okvir euroobmočja.

Prihajam iz Slovenije, kjer smo se po tem, ko smo leta 2004 vstopili v Evropsko unijo, leta 2007 odločili za vstop v euroobmočje. In če danes vprašate gospodarstvenike, pa tudi prebivalce, kaj je tisto, kar največ šteje od vstopa v Evropsko unijo, je sprejem eura ena izmed največjih vrednot, ki nas danes povezuje in nam daje tudi konkurenčno območje za naše delo.

Prepričan sem, da bo Hrvaška kot turistična država zelo izkoristila ta vstop v euroobmočje, po drugi strani pa bomo tudi turisti, ki prihajamo na Hrvaško, bili malce manj slabe volje, ko bomo izgubljali denar pri valutnih menjavah, tako da čestitke Hrvaški in veliko uspehov na zahtevni poti, ki vas še tudi čaka v prihodnosti.

  Karlo Ressler (PPE). – Poštovani predsjedavajući, hvala puno kolegama na podršci, ali i na prepoznavanju ogromnog napretka, ogromnih napora hrvatske vlade u tome da ispunimo sve zahtjevne kriterije za uvođenje eura.

Moram odgovoriti, također, kolegi Ilčiću jer je očito da neki danas, nažalost, zaboravljaju da niti kuna nikada nije bila svrha sama po sebi, nego oruđe za veću kvalitetu života hrvatskih obitelji. Ako to danas možemo bolje, snažnije osigurati s eurom, a oko toga nema nikakve dileme, ne vidim nikakvog razloga da ne.

Valuta je uvijek oruđe jednog gospodarstva, a nikada ne može biti samo njegov ukras. Hrvati i danas uglavnom štede u eurima, poduzeća koja izvoze i koja uvoze posluju u eurima, a zbog uvođenja eura već danas uživamo rekordni kreditni rejting.

Uz euro, ali i uz rekordna europska sredstva koja imamo na raspolaganju i koja potiču poduzetnost i inovacije, digitalizaciju imamo stvarno prvoklasnu generacijsku priliku koju moramo iskoristiti snažno, ambiciozno, atraktivno i otvoreno. Zato što to možemo i zato što to hrvatski građani zaslužuju!

(Koniec vystúpení podľa postupu prihlásenia o slovo zdvihnutím ruky)

  Paolo Gentiloni, Member of the Commission. – Mr President, I think that this debate is confirming that we are discussing an historical step for Croatia. I repeat that the convergence criteria were positively assessed by the Commission and the ECB. Now we will have, after your decision and the Council decision, a common commitment on the changeover, which will be very important, especially in this environment of high inflation, and then Croatia will continue on its path of reforms and investment, also supported by Next Generation EU.

So there is a very good perspective for this country, but also progress for us, for the Union. We have now almost 350 million European citizens sharing the same currency – 20 Member States. So I think that with your support, with your decision, the European project will be stronger.

  Siegfried Mureşan, rapporteur. – Mr President, dear colleagues, thank you very much for this debate and for the overwhelming support in view of Croatia joining the euro area on 1 January 2023. Croatia will be stronger as a member of the euro area and the European Union will also be stronger by having Croatia as a member of the euro area.

The people of Croatia have shown their determination during the last years in strengthening their economy, in keeping Croatia on course for further integration with the European Union. Now it is our duty to show our commitment to Croatia and to vote by a large majority tomorrow in favour of accepting Croatia into the euro area on 1 January.

I am confident, following the interventions of the Commission and of colleagues of various political groups, that Croatia enjoys large support here in the European Parliament, which it deserves.

The Government of Croatia, under the leadership of Prime Minister Plenković, the Minister of Finance, the authorities, the National Bank especially, have prepared everything for the introduction of the euro area.

We are confident that following the quick decision of the Parliament tomorrow and the confirmation by the Council on 12 July, the final technical preparations and the information of the population will take place, because the people of Croatia deserve to know about the benefits of the introduction of the euro area. It will be easier for the people of Croatia to travel to euro area countries. It will be easier for Croatian businesses to export and it will be easier for companies from the euro area to invest into Croatia.

Taking into account the fact that the people of Croatia already have savings in Europe, taking into account the fact that the major investment countries into Croatia are euro area countries, we believe that Croatia joining the euro area will lead to more benefits. We have seen, throughout the crisis, Croatia meeting all of the criteria, and now Croatia still is one of the countries of the European Union with the lowest rate of inflation.

This is why, once again, colleagues, thank you very much. Congratulations to the people of Croatia and we are looking forward to giving our positive vote tomorrow here in the European Parliament.

  Predsedajúci. – Rozprava sa skončila.

Hlasovanie sa uskutoční v stredu [06. 07. 2022].