Croatia is a key partner to the Netherlands for the policy of ensuring stability and security in the Western Balkans, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said at a news conference he held with his host, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, in Zagreb today.
Our visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina was very important because the stability and security of the Western Balkans is essential for our common European future, Rutte said after meeting with Plenković.
With a horrible war raging on our continent, we all have a duty to promote stability and security wherever possible. In that regard, Croatia is a key EU partner for us, Rutte said.
Plenković, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Rutte visited Bosnia and Herzegovina together earlier today to encourage politicians in that country to implement reforms necessary for the European Council to make a decision in March to open accession talks with BiH.
Plenković said that he and Rutte believed the visit was "very good and useful" and that the talks in Sarajevo served "as encouragement to make steps in the coming weeks that will make it possible for the Commission to hopefully present a positive progress report (on BiH)."
Rutte said that the Netherlands, traditionally one of the EU members that are most sceptical about EU enlargement, supports the ambitions of Southeast European countries to join the EU.
Plenković said that the Netherlands was one of Croatia's most important trade partners and the biggest investor in Croatia.
The Croatian PM thanked the Dutch prime minister for his country's "very constructive support over the past months and last year", a reference to the Netherlands' support to Croatia's entry to the Schengen area of passport-free movement.
Rutte said Croatia and the Netherlands share commitment to support for Ukraine, thanking Croatia for its support to Ukraine in the form of assistance in mine removal and military equipment.
We should continue supporting Ukraine wherever we can and as long as it takes. Putin must not be allowed to win the war, said Rutte.
The Dutch prime minister also underlined cooperation in the prevention of illegal migrations as an issue of common interest.
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