Statement by Dubravka ŠUICA, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Democracy and Demography on the aid for Croatia in the aftermath of earthquakes during the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels (18-21 January 2021). A resolution is put to the vote the same day.

debate

plenary session

natural disasters (T)

EU - Croatia (T)

ŠUICA, Dubravka (EPP, HR, EC)

Mitigating the consequences of earthquakes in Croatia: Opening statement by Dubravka ŠUICA, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Democracy and Demography

SOUNDBITE (English) Dubravka ŠUICA, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Democracy and Demography, President, honorable members, ladies and gentlemen, I'm taking this point on behalf of my colleague, Elisa Ferreira, the commissioner responsible for cohesion and reforms. Few events have the capacity to shake us to our very core, like an earthquake. And for anyone who has experienced it, you know, it feels that you know how it feels when your whole world literally starts to crumble around you.

SOUNDBITE (English) Dubravka ŠUICA, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Democracy and Demography, Your thoughts go instantly to your loved ones, especially the most vulnerable that need your help to get safely out of the very building that up to just a few short seconds ago provided their sense of security.

SOUNDBITE (English) Dubravka ŠUICA, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Democracy and Demography, After the main shock come the aftershocks, which can be equally fatal as the remaining fragments fall. When these terrible moments have passed, attention must turn to rebuilding because rebuild we must. I'm proud to say that Croatia does not rebuild alone.

SOUNDBITE (English) Dubravka ŠUICA, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Democracy and Demography, I was in Croatia when the earthquake hit and the immediate aftermath, along with my fellow compatriots, I realized that Croatia was not alone. The solidarity shown in response to a crucial time of need was again outstanding. I take this opportunity to thank this house for its support and each and every member state that offered immediate assistance in the form of much needed housing containers, winterized tents, sleeping bags, beds and electrical heaters.

SOUNDBITE (English) Dubravka ŠUICA, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Democracy and Demography, With my colleague, Commissioner Yannis Lenarcic, I visited Petrine and Glena with the Croatian deputy prime minister to assess firsthand the most immediate assistance needed by the people and local authorities. Of course, lives are the most precious of all, and it saddens me to report that these people lost their lives and many were injured on behalf of the European Commission and of our European Union.

SOUNDBITE (English) Dubravka ŠUICA, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Democracy and Demography, I take this opportunity to send their families and loved ones our deepest condolences to those injured and recovering from the effects of the earthquake. We stand beside you.