- Published: 25.02.2025.
State Secretary for Europe Andreja Metelko-Zgombić attends GAC
State Secretary for Europe Andreja Metelko-Zgombić participated in the meeting of ministers and state secretaries for Europe as part of the General Affairs Council, held in Brussels on February 25.
The Council began preparations for the regular European Council meeting scheduled for March 20-21, with proposed topics including Ukraine, the Middle East, competitiveness, the new Multiannual Financial Framework and new own resources, migration, and the future Ocean Pact. Additionally, the Council touched upon expected priorities for discussions at the special European Council meeting on March 6, which will focus on strengthening support for Ukraine and EU security.
Regarding Ukraine, Metelko-Zgombić emphasized the importance of achieving a just and lasting peace in accordance with international law, highlighting the necessity of Ukraine’s and the EU’s participation in negotiations. She reaffirmed Croatia’s strong support for Ukraine and announced the Fourth International Conference on the Care of Ukrainian War Veterans, which will be held in Croatia in October.
To enhance EU competitiveness, the state secretary advocated for the simplification and efficient implementation of regulations, a strong single market, and the promotion of innovation, investment in skills, and human capital. She stressed the importance of considering the specificities of member states and continuing efforts to ensure affordable energy prices, improve transport connectivity, and invest in infrastructure.
On the future Multiannual Financial Framework, Metelko-Zgombić underscored the need for an ambitious and robust European budget to enable collective responses to the EU’s growing priorities and challenges, given the complex new geopolitical landscape. She expressed Croatia’s support for efforts to strengthen European competitiveness, while emphasizing the crucial role of a strong cohesion policy and a competitive Common Agricultural Policy. Additionally, she highlighted the necessity for the new financial framework to address migration challenges, climate issues, decarbonization, and the EU’s defence ambitions.
Concerning the leaders' discussion on migration, the state secretary reaffirmed Croatia’s support for implementing the Migration and Asylum Pact and continuing efforts to enhance the effectiveness of return policies for irregular migrants.
The Council then exchanged views on the European Commission's work program for 2025, which will contribute to defining elements of the future Joint Declaration and Joint Conclusions on legislative priorities between the Council, the Commission, and the European Parliament, set to be adopted in March.
In the context of legislative priorities for this year, Metelko-Zgombić highlighted the importance of the Commission’s initiatives on EU competitiveness and security, aimed at modernizing the single market, fostering innovation, reducing energy prices, and diversifying energy supply sources. She particularly stressed the need for tangible progress in simplifying regulations and reducing administrative and regulatory burdens, especially for businesses and farmers. Furthermore, she underscored the importance of continuing merit-based EU enlargement and addressing migration-related issues.
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The Council began preparations for the regular European Council meeting scheduled for March 20-21, with proposed topics including Ukraine, the Middle East, competitiveness, the new Multiannual Financial Framework and new own resources, migration, and the future Ocean Pact. Additionally, the Council touched upon expected priorities for discussions at the special European Council meeting on March 6, which will focus on strengthening support for Ukraine and EU security.
Regarding Ukraine, Metelko-Zgombić emphasized the importance of achieving a just and lasting peace in accordance with international law, highlighting the necessity of Ukraine’s and the EU’s participation in negotiations. She reaffirmed Croatia’s strong support for Ukraine and announced the Fourth International Conference on the Care of Ukrainian War Veterans, which will be held in Croatia in October.
To enhance EU competitiveness, the state secretary advocated for the simplification and efficient implementation of regulations, a strong single market, and the promotion of innovation, investment in skills, and human capital. She stressed the importance of considering the specificities of member states and continuing efforts to ensure affordable energy prices, improve transport connectivity, and invest in infrastructure.
On the future Multiannual Financial Framework, Metelko-Zgombić underscored the need for an ambitious and robust European budget to enable collective responses to the EU’s growing priorities and challenges, given the complex new geopolitical landscape. She expressed Croatia’s support for efforts to strengthen European competitiveness, while emphasizing the crucial role of a strong cohesion policy and a competitive Common Agricultural Policy. Additionally, she highlighted the necessity for the new financial framework to address migration challenges, climate issues, decarbonization, and the EU’s defence ambitions.
Concerning the leaders' discussion on migration, the state secretary reaffirmed Croatia’s support for implementing the Migration and Asylum Pact and continuing efforts to enhance the effectiveness of return policies for irregular migrants.
The Council then exchanged views on the European Commission's work program for 2025, which will contribute to defining elements of the future Joint Declaration and Joint Conclusions on legislative priorities between the Council, the Commission, and the European Parliament, set to be adopted in March.
In the context of legislative priorities for this year, Metelko-Zgombić highlighted the importance of the Commission’s initiatives on EU competitiveness and security, aimed at modernizing the single market, fostering innovation, reducing energy prices, and diversifying energy supply sources. She particularly stressed the need for tangible progress in simplifying regulations and reducing administrative and regulatory burdens, especially for businesses and farmers. Furthermore, she underscored the importance of continuing merit-based EU enlargement and addressing migration-related issues.