Minister Grlić Radman attends 21st Bled Strategic Forum

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman participated on 31 August 2026 in the 21st Bled Strategic Forum (BSF), held under the slogan “The Power to Shape the Future” and bringing together leaders, experts, innovators and young representatives from Europe and the transatlantic community. This year’s Forum focused on changes in the international order, geopolitical competition, security and resilience, strategic connectivity, EU enlargement, economic diplomacy and technological cooperation.
 
Speaking at the panel “Geopolitical Turmoil: Central and South Eastern Europe in a World of Corridors, Security and Enlargement”, the minister addressed security and defence, strategic connectivity and EU enlargement. He stressed that today’s security threats extend beyond borders to critical infrastructure, energy and transport corridors, digital networks and supply chains, requiring a comprehensive approach to security. Addressing strategic connectivity, he highlighted Croatia’s role as an energy and transport hub, as well as the importance of diversifying sources, supply routes and strategic infrastructure. He underscored in particular that EU enlargement is one of the EU’s most important geopolitical and security instruments, stressing that the process must remain credible and merit-based, with each candidate assessed individually and on the basis of meeting the accession criteria. In this context, he highlighted the particular importance of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the stability of the Western Balkans, stressing that connecting the region with the EU through infrastructure, energy and the economy must go hand in hand with reforms and a clear European perspective.
 
On the margins of the Forum, Grlić Radman held meetings with Susan Brown, Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and Director of the UNDP Bureau for External Relations and Advocacy; Allison Hooker, Under Secretary for Political Affairs of the United States; Anita Orbán, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Hungary; Ervin Ibrahimović, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro; and Marta Kos, European Commissioner for Enlargement. The meetings provided an opportunity to exchange views on bilateral relations, economic and energy cooperation, defence and security, support for Ukraine, as well as current developments concerning EU enlargement and the situation in the Western Balkans.

Press releases