Prime Minister Andrej Plenković emphasized Croatia's unequivocal support for Ukraine and solidarity with the Ukrainian people on a panel as part of the Dubrovnik Forum 2023 International Conference. He also said that our country would use its experience to help Ukraine in the process of demining and responsibility for war crimes. He expressed his satisfaction that Ukraine received the status of a candidate for membership in the European Union and expressed his full support for the countries of Southeast Europe on their European path.
Prime Minister Andrej Plenković participated in the International Conference Dubrovnik Forum 2023, which began with the opening address of the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Gordan Grlić Radman.
Afterwards, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba and the Secretary General of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Mathias Cormann spoke via video message.
Prime Minister Plenković participated in the opening panel "Navigating the Global Reshuffle", together with the President of the Croatian Parliament Gordan Jandroković, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe Marija Pejčinović Burić, the Vice President of the Council of Ministers and Ministers of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy Antonio Tajani, and the High Representative of the European Union and Vice President of the European Commission Josep Borrell.
Clear and unequivocal condemnation of Russia's aggression against Ukraine
Asked how Croatia is managing in the changed geopolitical circumstances, Prime Minister Plenković recalled that the approach of the Croatian Government and the parliamentary majority was very principled and clear in condemning Russian aggression against Ukraine. He emphasized Croatia's unequivocal support for Ukraine and solidarity with the Ukrainian people.
When it comes to crises, he emphasized that the Government acted decisively and quickly in order to maintain social cohesion in society and prevent social fracture.
The Prime Minister praised the cooperation at European Union level during crises, from limiting the price of gas and ensuring supply, to mutual support during the coronavirus pandemic.
He pointed out that Croatia has made good use of its strengthened international position. "This is the main determinant of modern sovereignty, the political framework that I promote and which implies a better international position in order to achieve important national goals," said Plenković.
He also reminded that Croatia achieved the strategic goals of two deeper EU integrations - membership in the Eurozone and the Schengen area.
He assessed that our country has come a long way and that we still have to join the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), whose members, he said, are mature democracies that support the rule of law and have a highly integrated economy.
Enlargement of the European Union and illegal migration
When asked about the expansion of the European Union, Prime Minister Plenković recalled that Ukraine, Moldova and, conditionally, Georgia received the status of candidates for membership in the European Union, which he assessed as significant changes in the attitude of the old EU members.
When it comes to the countries of Southeast Europe, he recalled that a few years ago, enlargement was not considered at all at the level of the European Union. "We have been telling our partners in the European Union for years that if they are not sufficiently involved in the region, bigger players will come and get involved," Plenković said.
He reminded that at the meeting in Sofia, in 2018, the subject of the enlargement of the European Union to the countries of South-Eastern Europe was once again brought into focus.
The Prime Minister believes that the reticence of some countries towards expansion is a consequence of illegal migration.
"We have to take it very seriously," said Plenković, pointing out that Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis made significant efforts to secure the Greek-Turkish border and prevent illegal migration.
Bilateral meetings
During the conference, Prime Minister Plenković also held a series of bilateral meetings.
He discussed strengthening the EU's global role and economic competitiveness with the High Representative of the European Union and Vice-President of the European Commission Josep Borrell, Vice-President of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy Antonio Tajani and Deputy Prime Minister of Bulgaria Maria Gabriel. "We strongly stand by Ukraine," Plenković said on Twitter.
The Prime Minister also met with the President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Odila Renaud-Basso, and Google's Global Vice President for Public Policy, Karan Bhatia. "We want to strengthen cooperation and encourage investments in Croatia. Digital and green transition are important areas for faster growth and strengthening resistance to future crises," he said on Twitter.
Plenković discussed the situation in Southeast Europe with the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina Christian Schmidt, the US envoy for the Western Balkans Gabriel Escobar, the representative of the European Union for the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina Miroslav Lajčak and the special envoy of the United Kingdom for the Western Balkans Stuart Peach.
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