Demographic revitalization is key to the long-term strengthening of the European economy

"We have reached a consensus on the key issues that we need to address in the formal sessions", said Prime Minister Plenković.

In his intervention, he added, he emphasized that for the long-term strengthening of the European economy, including the Croatian one, it is crucial that demographic revitalization be a strategic imperative for Europe.

Without people, there is no competitiveness of the economy, said the Prime Minister, warning that the European continent is by far the oldest of all.

Regarding energy policy, Prime Minister Plenković said that energy prices determine the competitiveness of the economy. Others, he added, that have cheaper energy prices ultimately have cheaper products compared to Europe.

Fewer administrative barriers and burdens for the economy

He also spoke about simplifying all procedures, regulatory frameworks and administrative burdens in order to enable the economy to enter the market with as little burden as possible and thus be more competitive.
 
There was also talk of the network of partnerships that the European Union has around the world in circumstances in which international relations are also governed by customs tariff policies.
 
Therefore, he stressed, it is important to build protective mechanisms into such agreements that, if necessary, can help European producers and the European economy.
 
The necessity of investing in the digital transformation of Europe
 
At the meeting, the Prime Minister also spoke about the necessity of investing in digital transformation, because this is an area in which the whole of Europe has not caught up, for example with the USA.
 
Mario Draghi and Enrico Letta also joined the discussions, and there was particular talk of a fresh look at their previously presented reports.
 
"We must link the European competitiveness pillar, which is the second part of the new structure of the Multiannual Financial Framework, with these efforts for a roadmap to strengthen European competitiveness and strengthen the single market," said the Prime Minister, describing the informal meeting as useful and adding that the views of most stakeholders had converged.
 
It is important that Croatia seize opportunities for further development
 
He stressed that Croatia, in parallel with the negotiations on the new Multiannual Financial Framework, must seize opportunities for further development.
 
It is important that Croatia continues with strong economic growth, said Prime Minister Plenković, and recalled that the growth of the Croatian economy in recent years has been twice, and sometimes even three times, higher than the average of the European Union and the Eurozone.