Plenković for France 24: Croatia sits at the table where decisions are made on Europe's new security architecture

In an interview with France 24, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković talked about further support for Ukraine, the peace process, allocations for defense and the modernization of the Croatian Army, the expansion of the European Union and the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Prime Minister Plenković emphasized Croatia's strong support for Ukraine, recalling that our country was a victim of aggression in the 1990s.
 
"Our experience is unique. Therefore, we support Ukraine politically, economically, financially, humanitarianly and militarily," he said, emphasizing that Croatia stands for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.
 
The peace process must include respect of the territorial integrity of Ukraine
 
He also said that the Government has never proposed that Croatian soldiers participate in operations on Ukrainian soil. He also said that every country in the coalition of the willing can find a way to contribute to achieving peace, recalling that the President of Croatia and the opposition in the Croatian Parliament did not support participation in the EUMAM and NSATU operations.
 
"We are all for peace, but an outcome in which the occupied Ukrainian territory would become part of the Russian constitutional order, which is contrary to the principles of international law, is unacceptable. The peace process must include respect of the territorial integrity of Ukraine," said Plenković.
 
He believes that serving as Croatian Prime Minister for a third term is a confirmation of the support of Croatian citizens for the political line that the Government is taking in relation to major international issues.
 
He emphasized that today Croatia is at the table were the new security architecture of the European Union is discussed. 
 
Major investment process in equipping and modernizing the Croatian Army
 
The Prime Minister highlighted the major investment process in equipping and modernizing the Croatian Army, saying that we are replacing the old military technology of the Eastern Bloc with Western technology.
 
He added that Croatia has acquired 12 French Rafale multi-role fighter jets, Leopard tanks and the Himars missile system.
 
He also emphasized that defense spending has exceeded 2% of GDP, and since 2016 the defense budget has been 5 times higher.
 
"Given the global circumstances, we must work on Europe's strategic autonomy," said Plenković, adding that for Croatia, as a member of NATO since 2009, the transatlantic alliance is very important for its security and freedom. However, he believes that Europe must at the same time be stronger and guarantee its own security.
 
In the conversation, the Prime Minister also said that there is a new political will of the European Union for enlargement, to which the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, is also open.
 
"Croatia supports the countries of Southeast Europe on this path, provided that the conditions are met, and we are particularly committed to the European path of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in which Croats are a constituent people," he said.
 
Croatia wants to resolve open issues with Serbia
 
He also addressed the situation in Serbia and the relations between the two countries.
 
He recalled that more than 95 percent of crude oil is delivered to Serbia through the Croatian company Janaf and that Croatia will not be the one to prevent Serbia from having oil that will reach the refinery in Pančevo, which he assessed as a sign of good neighbourliness.
 
PM stressed put that it is very important to resolve open issues remaining from the time of Serbia's aggression against Croatia 30 years ago.
 
He also addressed the student protests in Serbia, expressing regret over the great tragedy in which 15 people died when a canopy collapsed in Novi Sad.
 
"There was obviously dissatisfaction in Serbian society that was articulated by these protests initiated by students," he stated.
 
Croatia stands for the political and institutional stability of Bosnia and Herzegovina
 
The Prime Minister believes that the situation in the Western Balkans should be discussed at the next European Council, given the tensions we have been witnessing lately, especially in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
 
"We are concerned about the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and we advocate for political and institutional stability, as well as a constructive dialogue between the three constituent nations and between the two entities of the Republika Srpska and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina," said Plenković.
 
He also said that Croatia supports the efforts of the chairwoman of the Council of Ministers, Borjana Krišto, in the implementation of reform processes and all steps for the opening of accession negotiations.
 
"We are in favor of calming tensions, and I call on all political forces and leaders to respect the legal order in Bosnia and Herzegovina," Prime Minister Plenković concluded.

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