Facing the past crucial for European path

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman took part in the Berlin Process Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Pržno on 1 October 2026 and, together with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro Ervin Ibrahimović and European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, laid a wreath and paid tribute to the victims of the former Morinj camp.
 
At the Berlin Process meeting, Grlić Radman stressed the importance of regional cooperation, economic integration, energy security and the implementation of reforms on the Western Balkan countries’ path towards the European Union. He underlined that good-neighbourly relations, reconciliation, the rule of law and respect for final court judgments are an important part of the region’s credible European path.
 
In Morinj, the minister stressed that all victims are owed lasting remembrance, as well as a firm commitment to fostering a culture of remembrance based on the truth about what happened, a clear condemnation of the crimes and respect for all victims.
 
He underscored the importance of the memorial plaque in Morinj and its wording, which clearly bears witness to the suffering of the detainees, stressing that acknowledging the facts and facing the past are essential to genuine reconciliation.
 
The minister recalled that the Government of the Republic of Croatia, led by Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, strongly supports Montenegro’s European path, providing assistance and sharing Croatia’s experience of accession to the European Union. In this context, Croatia appreciates efforts aimed at addressing the past and paying tribute to the victims of the Morinj camp.
 
At the same time, he stressed the importance of ensuring that all those responsible for war crimes are prosecuted and brought to justice, that the fate of persons who went missing during the Homeland War is resolved, and that issues concerning the rights and compensation of victims are addressed appropriately.
 
“Croatia and Montenegro, as neighbouring and friendly countries and NATO Allies, are looking to the future together. That future must be built on truth, mutual respect and European values. At the same time, we must step up our efforts to counter revisionism and any attempt to distort historical facts,” Grlić Radman said.
 
On the margins of the meeting, Grlić Radman also met with Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany Johann Wadephul. The two ministers reaffirmed the close Croatian-German partnership and their shared interest in a stable Western Balkans firmly oriented towards Europe. Grlić Radman stressed that Croatia strongly supports a credible European perspective for the Western Balkan countries, based on clear criteria, the implementation of necessary reforms and individual merits.

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