FM Grlić Radman visits Germany

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman 8-10 September 2019 paid a visit to the Federal Republic of Germany

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman 8-10 September 2019 paid a visit to the Federal Republic of Germany.

In Berlin, the minister met with his German counterpart Heiko Maas. The two ministers underlined Croatia and Germany’s excellent bilateral relations, highlighting the action plan signed in March this year. Grlić Radman the action plan additionally strengthened the relations between Croatia and Germany and lent a broader dimension to the partnership between the two EU member states.

Grlić Radman and Maas also discussed topical EU matters, notably the MFF, strategic agenda, enlargement and Brexit. They exchanged views on the challenges and priorities of their respective countries’ Council of the EU chairmanship the following year. The two ministers agreed that joint preparations for the chairmanship would require a high level of coordination between Croatia and Germany, not just bilaterally but on the European plane as well.

Grlić Radman underscored the importance of EU enlargement to Western Balkan countries. He underlined that the peace and stability in the immediate neighbourhood were crucial for Croatia and announced two summits during Croatia’s Council of the EU chairmanship: with the Western Balkans and Eastern partnership countries respectively.

Croatia supports the opening of accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia in October this year as well as the continuation of talks on European prospects of other countries in the region, particularly Bosnia and Herzegovina, said Grlić Radman. He underlined the importance of government formation in BiH so that the county could continue progressing towards the EU while meeting the criteria. In that context, the minister emphasized the respect for the principles of the Dayton Agreement: equality for all the constituent peoples and the right to choose their political representative.

Grlić Radman and Maas also talked about Croatia’s foreign policy goals: entering the Schengen Area, Eurozone and OECD.

During his visit to the Bundestag, Grlić Radman met with Norbert Röttgen, the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, and with the chairman of the EU Affairs Committee, Gunther Kirchbaum, with whom he discussed bilateral and European topics, notably Croatia and Germany’s upcoming Council of the EU chairmanships, EU enlargement onto the Western Balkans and the situation in the region.  

While in Berlin, Grlić Radman met with representatives of the Croatian community, thanking them for contributing to the preservation of Croatian identity, culture, tradition, customs and language. He underscored the government’s commitment to the strengthening of ties between the homeland and diaspora.

Grlić Radman also attended the farewell reception for the head of the European Commission’s Representation in German, Richard Kühnel, organized by the Croatian Embassy in Berlin.

 

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