FM attends IPEU General Assembly

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman 8 February 2020 in Strasbourg attended a General Assembly of the International Paneuropean Union (IPEU)

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman 8 February 2020 in Strasbourg attended a General Assembly of the International Paneuropean Union (IPEU), where he talked about the successful and intensive first month of Croatia’s EU presidency. In addition, the minister presented the Croatian presidency’s priorities and focal topics.

Grlić Radman underscored that merit-based EU enlargement was an investment in stability and security. “It is vital that we reach the decision on opening accession talks with North Macedonia and Albania before the Zagreb Summit in May, which will be an opportunity to develop a political and strategic plan for the next decade.”

The minister reflected on the Conference on the Future of Europe, which is to start during the Croatian presidency and last for two years, aiming to offer a new vision of the common European future.

“The Conference will bring together EU institutions, government and parliaments, but most importantly – citizens. To goal is to advance democracy and bring the EU closer to the citizens, as renewing the sense of unity is crucial for dealing for social polarization and division,” Grlić Radman stressed.

Speaking about the new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), the minister said it should be ambitious, balanced, sustainable and capable of responding to the internal and external challenges the EU is facing. “The MFF must meet the expectations of our citizens in all the member states and rise to the new challenges such as digitalization, climate change and migrations. It also has to continue to support the cohesion and agricultural policy with the aim of reducing social inequality and achieving a more balanced regional development,” Grlić Radman underlined.

The conference at the European Parliament was also attended by IPEU President Alain Terrenoire, EP Vice-President Rainer Wieland, Croatian Paneuropean Union President Mislav Ježić, Fondation Charles de Gaulle Chairman Jacques Godfrain, as well as a number of other distinguished guests from Croatia and abroad.

 

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