- Published: 29.09.2017.
PM Plenkovic in Tallinn: We have to use all the advantages of modern information and communication technology
During a discussion on the future of Europe at an EU summit of heads of state and government in Tallinn, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said on Friday that Croatia is opposed to a multi-speed Europe and the formation of groups of countries entering into deeper integration processes and leaving other member states behind.
Plenkovic was attending the EU Tallinn Digital Summit and on Thursday night the heads of EU member states discussed plans for the EU's future following Brexit. On Friday, Plenkovic spoke about the topic with the president of the European Council, Donald Tusk, who was coordinating the discussion.
"For us, it is essential that any discussion on the future of Europe involves all member states. That is the key, because... otherwise we risk the operationalisation of a multi-speed Europe. At this stage, Croatia is absolutely interested in being firmly rooted in the institutional framework of the EU and that is President Tusk's task, and I think we understood each other well on the matter and support each other," Plenkovic told reporters.
Earlier in the day, Plenkovic met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanual Macron and Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni.
The Tallinn Digital Summit, at which EU heads of state and government are discussing the advantages of digitisation, was organised by the Estonian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, in cooperation with the President of the European Council and the European Commission.
Addressing the summit, Plenkovic said that Croatia had achieved quite a lot in that area, primarily through the e-citizens and e-business projects.
The main precondition to completely benefit from the potential of the digital revolution is the undisturbed transfer of data and cyber security, he said.
"Everyone is aware that cyber attacks are not just a potential threat of terrorism but an area in which hybrid war is waged, which we have witnessed and sometimes been victim to. I have clearly said that Croatia is for the freedom of the Internet, however, the responsibility on internet operators is huge. I think we need to work on informing our citizens to be wary and cautious when using digital services and in that way prevent digital fraud," he said.
Text: Hina