- Published: 21.03.2025.
PM Plenković: Croatia plays an important role as an energy hub for the distribution of oil and gas
Prime Minister Andrej Plenković attended the EU summit in Brussels. During his stay in Brussels, Prime Minister Plenković met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Commissioners for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius and Energy Dan Jørgensen, and attended a summit of the European People's Party and the Euro Summit.
In a statement to the media after the EU Summit, the Prime Minister said that they discussed the situation in Ukraine and advocated for peace and negotiations that would lead to a ceasefire and a just peace plan.
Ukrainian President Zelensky joined the meeting via video link and explained his impressions after his talks with US President Trump and all the activities of the Ukrainian delegations negotiating with the United States.
Unfortunately, he added, they did not adopt conclusions due to the opposition of Hungary.
Croatia strongly supports the Savings and Investments Union project
A discussion on multilateralism and all global issues was also held with UN Secretary-General Guterres.
The main discussion, he reported, was focused on the issue of the economy and competitiveness, and in this context, they discussed the strengthening of all measures that need to be taken in terms of deregulation, reducing administrative barriers and regulations for the economy.
As for competitiveness, EU leaders want the economies of the member states to be helped from the European Union level, especially with the completion of the Savings and Investments Union project, which Croatia strongly supports.
A preliminary discussion was also held on the next Multiannual Financial Framework, and this will be a key topic to be discussed from the middle of this year onwards.
Regarding its structure and political priorities, the Prime Minister said that member states are always divided into two groups, net contributors who are always more reserved, and net recipients who want to maintain the envelopes for both cohesion and agricultural policy, a position that Croatia shares with 16 other member states.
"We continue excellent cooperation in the interests of Croatia and the European Union. We discussed strengthening energy security, diversifying energy sources, and the important role of Croatia as an energy hub for the distribution of oil and gas in this part of Europe. We also touched on the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in which it is necessary to calm political tensions, preserve stability, and continue with reforms on the European path," PM Plenković wrote on the X platform after the meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
The next EU summit will feature a serious discussion on our neighbourhood
"I signalled to my colleagues that at the next meeting of the European Council we must conduct a more serious discussion about the situation in our neighborhood, both in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in Serbia, which was, of course, accepted," said Prime Minister Plenković, speaking about the discussion they held at the end of the meeting on Southeast Europe.
It is important to discuss this, he emphasized, because objectively looking at what has been happening in recent days is worrying.
Croatia is constantly sending reassuring messages, but tensions are quite high, the rhetoric is inflammatory and the nervousness is great, he added.
High Representative Kallas is also expected to visit Sarajevo in the next few days, he added.
This EU Summit was also an opportunity to say goodbye to Chancellor Scholz, given that the new German Chancellor Merz will participate in the next meeting, and to thank him for the cooperation over the past four years, said Prime Minister Plenković.
News
In a statement to the media after the EU Summit, the Prime Minister said that they discussed the situation in Ukraine and advocated for peace and negotiations that would lead to a ceasefire and a just peace plan.
Ukrainian President Zelensky joined the meeting via video link and explained his impressions after his talks with US President Trump and all the activities of the Ukrainian delegations negotiating with the United States.
Unfortunately, he added, they did not adopt conclusions due to the opposition of Hungary.
Croatia strongly supports the Savings and Investments Union project
A discussion on multilateralism and all global issues was also held with UN Secretary-General Guterres.
The main discussion, he reported, was focused on the issue of the economy and competitiveness, and in this context, they discussed the strengthening of all measures that need to be taken in terms of deregulation, reducing administrative barriers and regulations for the economy.
As for competitiveness, EU leaders want the economies of the member states to be helped from the European Union level, especially with the completion of the Savings and Investments Union project, which Croatia strongly supports.
A preliminary discussion was also held on the next Multiannual Financial Framework, and this will be a key topic to be discussed from the middle of this year onwards.
Regarding its structure and political priorities, the Prime Minister said that member states are always divided into two groups, net contributors who are always more reserved, and net recipients who want to maintain the envelopes for both cohesion and agricultural policy, a position that Croatia shares with 16 other member states.
"We continue excellent cooperation in the interests of Croatia and the European Union. We discussed strengthening energy security, diversifying energy sources, and the important role of Croatia as an energy hub for the distribution of oil and gas in this part of Europe. We also touched on the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in which it is necessary to calm political tensions, preserve stability, and continue with reforms on the European path," PM Plenković wrote on the X platform after the meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
The next EU summit will feature a serious discussion on our neighbourhood
"I signalled to my colleagues that at the next meeting of the European Council we must conduct a more serious discussion about the situation in our neighborhood, both in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in Serbia, which was, of course, accepted," said Prime Minister Plenković, speaking about the discussion they held at the end of the meeting on Southeast Europe.
It is important to discuss this, he emphasized, because objectively looking at what has been happening in recent days is worrying.
Croatia is constantly sending reassuring messages, but tensions are quite high, the rhetoric is inflammatory and the nervousness is great, he added.
High Representative Kallas is also expected to visit Sarajevo in the next few days, he added.
This EU Summit was also an opportunity to say goodbye to Chancellor Scholz, given that the new German Chancellor Merz will participate in the next meeting, and to thank him for the cooperation over the past four years, said Prime Minister Plenković.