PM Plenkovic believes diplomacy should return to position it deserves in society

Croatia's diplomacy needs to have its dignity and deserved position in state administration and society restored, Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said on Friday at a conference of ambassadors, consul generals and charges d'affaires in Zagreb.

Addressing the diplomats, Plenkovic underscored that the advantage of Croatia's current political constellation lies in the fact that a large number of top officials in government are former members of the foreign ministry who are versed in how it works.

"There is a theory in the Croatian public, by some of our rivals and other stakeholders, that we are too diplomatic as politicians. However, I believe that is our strongest advantage. We know what other countries are doing and are following European and global processes," Plenkovic said.

"The fact that today us three are here says sufficiently whether it is an advantage or disadvantage to have diplomatic experience," the PM stressed, referring to President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic and Foreign and European Affairs Minister Marija Pejcinovic Buric, who have been in Croatia's diplomacy from the very start and who, in addition to Defence Minister Damir Krsticevic and Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandrokovic, addressed the conference.

He underscored that he was aware of how little was allocated to the foreign ministry and that there was no longer any excuse not to tend to that matter.

"It is a fact that the ministry's budget will be increased by 20 percent, which shows that people who decide on the budget are aware of the material status of the ministry," the prime minister said and added that that "means restoring dignity to Croatian diplomacy and its deserved position in state administration and society."

Addressing the diplomats, Plenkovic said, "your duty is to promote Croatia as it is in 2017, such as we desired it to be since 1990 with regard to the values we belong to, the standards we aspire to and the interests we advocate."

He underscored that diplomats act in a world that is rapidly changing in the context of a significantly changed policy of the United States as a global super power with a new administration, Russia's more assertive policy, and a neighbourhood with new challenges like the migrant crisis and terrorist threats.

In the context of European policies, it is necessary to strengthen the democratic legitimacy of European institutions, achieve greater participation at elections for the European Parliament, and make the redistribution power of the European budget more visible in Croatia, he underscored.

"I think only that the construction of the Peljesac Bridge will make it clear to the public what it means to be given such a large grant for such a large project," he said.

Membership of the EU has to be utilised to strengthen Croatia's exports and economic interests, which requires cooperation between the foreign ministry and business stakeholders in Croatian society and administration, he added.

He concluded by saying that, with regard to outstanding issues with neighbouring countries, Croatia's diplomacy has to be even "firmer" and "resolute in explaining our stances."

"We have to be very precise and articulate in explaining what we advocate to 'third parties', because others are doing that too," he said.

Text: Hina

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