In the last five years, the Covid pandemic and the Russian aggression against Ukraine have had unprecedented consequences for economies and social situations around the world. Global situation today demands an incredible amount of responsibility from everyone, which should try to de-escalate and calm down all conflicts, and then direct the change towards a more stable world. Therefore, in a world of constant challenges, the response to them must be collective and it must be sober, said Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, participating in the 18th edition of the Dubrovnik Forum 2025 International Conference, which is being held this year under the title "Channeling the Change".
By choosing the central theme, the Dubrovnik Forum recognizes that the international community continues to find itself in a period of deep uncertainty and heightened risk, further exacerbated by ongoing wars and other conflicts in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa.
Therefore, this year’s conference explored paths towards peace, dignity and renewal in a world shaken by hostilities, turmoil and rapid transformation by discussing the key question: Can we channel change so that 2025 becomes a year of hope?
The discussion was attended, in addition to Prime Minister Plenković, by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Italian Republic Antonio Tajani, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Brazil Mauro Luiz Iecker Vieira and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and Togolese Citizens Abroad Robert Dussey.
Prime Minister Plenković emphasized that in the past decade we have been living in a world of multiple crises.
In addition to uncertainty, the world is polarized and divided into democracies and quasi-democracies, i.e. authoritarian regimes. The way we look at international relations stems from these different positions, he said.
The pandemic and Russian aggression against Ukraine had unprecedented consequences on our economies, social situation and global instability
Namely, the natural approach of democracy is an approach of cooperation, which implies peaceful relations with other countries and international organizations, a world order based on international law and a system that is predictable, safe and reliable.
Those countries that are not democratic have a more confrontational approach, whereby international law is not very important for them.
The Prime Minister pointed out that in the last five years, above all, the Covid pandemic has completely changed the health situation around the world, and it has also had unprecedented consequences on the economy and the social situation. All of this was reinforced immediately after the pandemic by the effects of the brutal Russian aggression against Ukraine.
Those two elements defined what is happening globally today, he said, especially with the wars in the Middle East and the war between India and Pakistan.
He believes that such a context requires an incredible amount of responsibility from everyone, who should try, first of all, to de-escalate and calm down all these conflicts, and then direct the change towards a more stable world.
Therefore, in a world of constant challenges, the response to them must be collective and it must be sober he said.
Strengthening defense capabilities
In this context, he recalled the decision made at the NATO summit in The Hague to increase defense spending to 3.5 percent of GDP, with an additional 1.5 percent for defense-related activities, saying that it was unprecedented and would change the budget planning of all members.
"It will also change the production of military equipment. It will improve our own defense capabilities, but they must be well coordinated, interoperable and increase our joint capabilities. Because with the example of Ukraine, I don't think there is anyone in Europe now who believes that we are safe under the Article 5 and collective security as we have thought for decades," he said.
He reported that Croatia is in the process of adopting a new Defense Act, which, by introducing basic military training, will enable new generations to acquire the basic skills that young Croatians need in today's world. This is actually the impact of global changes on our own policies, he added.
We must find a reasonable solution to avoid a tariff war between America and Europe
He also referred to the simultaneous tensions in trade relations between Europe and the US.
He believes that relations between Europe and the United States remain at the heart of our priorities, which is also reflected in this great consensus, relatively quickly and easily reached in preparation for the NATO summit in The Hague.
He also believes that a reasonable solution should be found to avoid a tariff war, especially in light of the agreement between the Europeans and the Americans on such a significant increase in defense spending.
"At the last European Council, we discussed at length how to achieve some kind of consensus that would not essentially put us in a position where one day we agree to spend 5 percent on defense, and the next day we have tariffs that harm our economic entities. Croatia is one of those countries that supports the efforts of Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and her team, together with American partners, to reach an agreement," he said.
He believes that the current 10 percent tax is somewhat bearable, but if it rises to 20 percent or even more, most exporters to the US market will simply become uncompetitive. Therefore, it is in everyone's interest to find a solution.
"Our position is that, first of all, we should stick together, find a reasonable solution that will facilitate and, I would say, smooth relations between the US and Europe," he said.
EU enlargement sentiment at highest level in ten years
Speaking about the enlargement of the European Union, Prime Minister Plenković highlighted the impact of Russian aggression on Ukraine on this issue, especially with regard to the membership of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia, which are now “merged” with the countries of South-East Europe.
After two full terms of office of the European Commission and the European Parliament passed without a new enlargement, after Croatia was the last to join the European Union 12 years ago, the Commission’s intention to do more in this term is felt, so that at least one more country becomes a member. Whether that will happen or not, he added, is currently difficult to say.
He recalled that at the last meeting of the European Council he initiated a discussion on South-East Europe, that is, the Western Balkans.
He believes that Ukraine has made great efforts and that the conditions have been created for the opening of the first negotiating cluster.
As for the countries in Croatia's neighbourhood, Montenegro has made the most progress, followed by Serbia and Albania, and he hopes that the issues that are preventing the start of negotiations with North Macedonia will also be resolved. Croatia, he stressed, places special emphasis on the European path of Bosnia and Herzegovina. He hopes that Kosovo will also progress, given the specific situation, as five EU member states have not yet recognised Kosovo.
He stressed the need to assess individual progress and assessed that the mood towards enlargement is certainly at its highest level in the last ten years.
Discussions on global circumstances and further support for Ukraine
On the sidelines of the Forum, Prime Minister Plenković also held a series of bilateral meetings, including with the US Congressional CODEL delegation, the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Theodoros Rousopoulos, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybih.
They discussed growing global uncertainties, further support for Ukraine and the achievement of a just and sustainable peace, transatlantic relations, as well as investments in energy security and strengthening European defense.
"I particularly emphasized the importance of continuing the EU enlargement process and providing a clear European perspective to Ukraine and the countries of Southeastern Europe, especially BiH," the Prime Minister reported on the X platform.
Croatia's progress in the OECD accession process
He discussed Croatia's progress in the OECD accession process with OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann.
"I expressed gratitude for his continued support on this path - our goal is to become a member in 2026. This will complete Croatia's strategic goals of international integration. The government is persistent in implementing the remaining reforms and activities," Prime Minister Plenković emphasized.
He also met with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, leader of the Democratic Forces of Belarus, Antonio Tajani, Vice-President of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Italian Republic, Jasem Mohamed AlBudaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the WTO.
He discussed the political situation in BiH and the further European path, which is important for the stability and prosperity of the country, with the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Christian Schmidt.
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