Mediterranean has become a strategic priority for the European Union

Prime Minister Plenković is hosting the two-day MED9 Summit in Split as part of Croatia’s presidency of MED9, the group bringing together nine Mediterranean EU member states.

In addition to Croatia, MED9 comprises Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain.

The heads of state and government are discussing common European and Mediterranean challenges, with a particular focus on security and migration, energy and resilience, environmental protection and water management, demographic challenges, relations with the Southern Neighborhood, and the implementation of the Pact for the Mediterranean.

The summit is also attended by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President António Costa, European Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica, His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco, and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

In his opening remarks, Prime Minister Plenković welcomed the leaders to the first MED9 Summit chaired by Croatia, held in Split, which he described as a historic center of the Croatian Adriatic.

Croatia as the Mediterranean gateway to Central Europe

He stressed that Croatia’s MED9 presidency had been guided by a shared vision: “For a safer, more sustainable and more resilient Mediterranean.”

The Prime Minister also recalled that six months ago Croatia hosted the Three Seas Initiative Summit in Dubrovnik. Taken together, he said, the two summits clearly reflect Croatia’s unique position as a Mediterranean gateway to Central Europe.

He noted that structural changes in the global environment had demonstrated that the stability of the European Union is inseparable from the stability of its wider neighborhood.

“Persistent instability in the Middle East, Russia’s continued war of aggression against Ukraine, growing hybrid threats and heightened global economic instability are putting significant pressure on our security, economies and long-term prosperity,” Prime Minister Plenković said.

These interconnected challenges, he noted, are affecting energy security, supply chains and migration flows, while growing geo-economic pressures, including the affordability of energy, are directly affecting the competitiveness, cohesion and resilience of the European Union.

The Mediterranean, he stressed, has therefore become a strategically crucial area where many of Europe’s most important strategic interests converge. As Mediterranean EU member states, Prime Minister Plenković said, we can bring an integrated Mediterranean perspective to broader strategic decisions at EU level.

During Croatia’s MED9 presidency, he added, the aim was to approach the Mediterranean not through separate sectoral policies, but as a space where security, competitiveness, resilience and sustainability are increasingly interconnected.

“Today, we want to translate this perspective into clear common messages and priorities, both for our future cooperation and for upcoming decisions at European Union level,” Plenković said, noting that this integrated approach is also reflected in the structure of today’s discussions.

During the first session, the Prime Minister said, participants would discuss how to move beyond viewing the Mediterranean primarily as an area of vulnerability and instead recognise its potential as a strategic asset for the competitiveness and resilience of the European Union.

Strengthening cooperation for a sustainable and prosperous Mediterranean

Prime Minister Plenković also described the discussion as a valuable opportunity to align common Mediterranean priorities ahead of the forthcoming European Council meeting and to contribute to shaping the European Union’s broader strategic agenda.

The second working session will focus on strengthening the partnership for a sustainable and prosperous Mediterranean and will also be attended by His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco.

On the third anniversary of Hamas’s attack on Israel, Prime Minister Plenković said, the summit will also welcome another special guest, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

During the working lunch, the Prime Minister announced, participants will discuss geopolitical and geo-economic developments and prospects in the Middle East and further strengthen coordination with key regional partners.

Concluding his remarks, the Prime Minister thanked all participants for their support during Croatia’s MED9 presidency and for attending the summit in Split.

Croatia and France continue to deepen their strategic partnership

Ahead of the main event of Croatia’s MED9 presidency, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković met with French President Emmanuel Macron.

“Croatia and France continue to deepen their Strategic Partnership, particularly in the areas of the economy, security and defence, culture, and cooperation within the EU and NATO,” Plenković said on the X platform.

The Prime Minister and President Macron discussed negotiations on the EU’s new Multiannual Financial Framework, the importance of diversifying energy supplies amid geopolitical uncertainty, EU enlargement policy, and the situation in Southeast Europe.

Within the MED9 framework, Prime Minister Plenković said, Croatia will continue to develop dialogue and partnerships with Mediterranean countries and contribute to the security, stability and prosperity of this highly important geostrategic region.

Negotiations on the new European budget

Prime Minister Andrej Plenković held number of bilateral meetings in Split, among others with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the Prime Ministers of Slovenia and Malta, and the Crown Prince of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

Prime Minister Plenković expressed satisfaction with his meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, with whom he discussed the agenda of the forthcoming European Council meeting.

“Our focus is on measures aimed at ensuring affordable energy prices and security of supply in the wake of the destabilisation of the situation in the Middle East,” Plenković said, highlighting the Government’s measures to cap fuel, electricity and gas prices with the aim of protecting citizens and the economy.

“We also discussed negotiations on the new Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028-2034, as well as the successful implementation of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan,” he added, noting that Croatia has achieved almost all reform and investment milestones under the Plan.

Formation of a new government in Bosnia and Herzegovina as soon as possible

“Last week, we submitted requests for the disbursement of the final instalments under the entire €10 billion programme,” he said.

They also discussed the recently held general elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In this context, Prime Minister Plenković stressed the importance of the fact that the Croat people once again have their legitimate representative in the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

He said he expected the new authorities to be formed as soon as possible, political stability to be strengthened, reforms aimed at accelerating the country’s European path to continue, and electoral reform to be implemented in a manner that would permanently ensure the equality of all three constituent peoples.

Supporting an end to the conflict and stabilisation in the Middle East

The participation of Jordan, a valued interlocutor for EU member states on Middle Eastern affairs, makes an important contribution to the discussions at the MED9 Summit, Prime Minister Plenković said as he welcomed His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

He added that current geopolitical challenges require further efforts to safeguard supply chains and create the conditions for strengthening the partnership between the European Union and Jordan.

He also underlined Croatia’s support for an end to the conflict and the stabilisation of the situation in the Middle East, as well as for dialogue and respect for international law.

“Our focus is on intensifying political and economic relations with Jordan,” the Croatian Prime Minister said.

Continuing high-quality dialogue with Slovenia

Following his meeting with Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša, Prime Minister Plenković expressed satisfaction with the continuation of constructive dialogue and a good-neighbourly atmosphere conducive to resolving outstanding issues and further strengthening political and economic relations between Croatia and Slovenia.

“Slovenia is Croatia’s third-largest trading partner,” he said, recalling that trade between the two countries reached €8.4 billion last year and continues to grow this year.

The two Prime Ministers also discussed further cooperation in combating irregular migration, as well as the European perspective of the countries of Southeast Europe.

Political, economic and cultural cooperation between Croatia and Malta

The Croatian Prime Minister also met with Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela, with whom he discussed continued cooperation and the strengthening of the partnership, as well as political, economic and cultural cooperation between Croatia and Malta.

They also discussed measures being taken to ensure security of energy supply and prevent a significant increase in energy prices in the context of current geopolitical challenges.

The summit is being held as part of Croatia’s presidency of MED9, the group of nine Mediterranean EU member states. In addition to Croatia, MED9 comprises Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain.

The discussions will focus on security and migration, energy and resilience, environmental protection and water management, demographic challenges, relations with the Southern Neighbourhood, and the implementation of the Pact for the Mediterranean.

Excellent relations between Croatia and Monaco

Prime Minister Andrej Plenković met with H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco and expressed his satisfaction at welcoming him as a special guest at the MED9 Summit.

“Croatia and Monaco enjoy excellent relations, with further opportunities to strengthen our Mediterranean cooperation in the areas of the economy, tourism, the maritime sector, culture and environmental protection,” Plenković said on the X platform.