Croatia uses EU membership strategically for economic development and greater social security for Croatian citizens

"The EU-Western Balkans Summit is an opportunity to summarize the state of the enlargement process, to see how each country is progressing towards the EU, to encourage them to continue with the reforms and to point out what each of them needs to do to accelerate this process," said Prime Minister Andrej Plenković in Brussels, where he is participating in the EU-Western Balkans Summit and the European Council meeting.

The Prime Minister used the visit to Brussels for bilateral meetings as well to discuss cooperation in the new institutional cycle.

After the meetings with the new President of the European Council António Costa, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, the new EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, and the President of the European Parliament Robert Metsola.

Prime Minister Plenković assessed that Croatia has good relations with all institutions in Brussels and is using EU membership strategically, for economic development and greater social security for Croatian citizens.

He particularly highlighted the meeting with the NATO Secretary General, with whom he once again discussed defense investments.

"Our defense budget has grown by 145 percent since I became Prime Minister. With investments that will be further strengthened by the Government's decisions on Friday, and I am referring to the purchase of American Himars as well as a new, better system for Croatian radars, our defense budget in 2025 will exceed 2 percent of GDP," the Prime Minister said.

He pointed out that within that 2 percent, almost 30 percent will go to modernization - replacing old, Eastern technology with Western technology.

With the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, Prime Minister discussed the dynamics of the European path of the countries of Southeast Europe, with a special emphasis on Bosnia and Herzegovina.

"Croatia continues to advocate for the enlargement process, which is the foundation for a stronger and more secure Europe," Prime Minister Plenković said on that occasion.

With the President of the European Council, António Costa, the Prime Minister discussed the European Union's global engagement in relation to numerous challenges, providing further assistance to Ukraine, and achieving a just and lasting peace.

"At the meeting with the President of the European Parliament Robert Metsola, we confirmed excellent cooperation on a number of important topics for Croatian and European citizens," said Plenković on the X platform after the meeting with Metsola.

He added that they also discussed the process of European Union enlargement and the importance of further support for Ukraine, which, it was emphasized, in addition to defending its freedom, also defends the democratic values ​​of Europe.

Prime Minister Plenković also met with Montenegrin President Jakov Milatović, with whom he discussed open bilateral topics, Montenegro's European path and the situation in Southeast Europe.

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