Grlic Radman: Brexit won't affect priorities of Croatia's EU presidency

Croatian Foreign and European Affairs Minister Gordan Grlic Radman said on Monday that the extension of the time frame for the departure of Great Britain from the European Union would not affect the priorities which Croatia had set for its rotating presidency of the EU in the first half of 2020.

Earlier on Monday, the ambassadors of the EU member-states agreed to a Brexit extension to 31 January 2020, with the option for the UK to leave earlier if a deal is ratified, clearing the way for opposition parties to back a general election.

After the 30-minute ambassadorial meeting, the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, said the EU27 had agreed to the request made by Boris Johnson just over a week ago.

Addressing the press, the Croatian minister said that this changed nothing in Croatia's agenda.

During its chairmanship, Croatia "will deal with European affairs and follow the political developments in the UK," Grlic Radman said.

He recalled that "entry into the EU is not easy, and the departure is even more difficult", which was why "Croatian citizens should appreciate the EU membership more."

Text: Hina

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