FM Pejčinović Burić attends FAC

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Marija Pejčinović Burić 11 December 2017 in Brussels attended meetings of the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) and FAC Development

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Marija Pejčinović Burić 11 December 2017 in Brussels attended meetings of the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) and FAC Development.

At an informal meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the ministers discussed the Middle East Peace Process, strengthening bilateral relations between the EU and Israel and the current situation in the wider region, where Croatia shares the concern about peace and security. The ministers supported two-state solution and creating the conditions for the revival of the Middle East Peace Process and direct talks between both sides. The EU wants to provide its assistance in cooperation with regional and international partners, including the US. In regard to Jerusalem, the member states remain committed to the international consensus embodies in the relevant UN resolutions.

During the official part of the FAC, the ministers discussed the situation in the Middle East, with an emphasis on Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Iran, as well as the situation in the Persian Gulf. The focus was on Iraq, as the EU is preparing a strategy which will determine the modalities of its engagement in the reconstruction and transition of the country.

The Council also adopted s Decision to Establish the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), which currently includes 25 member states along with Croatia, and selected 17 projects in security and defence which will become operational.

At an informal lunch, the ministers had a chance to talk with the ministers of five Sahel states (Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Chad) about advancing cooperation and capability strengthening, notably in the areas of security and development.

The meeting between the foreign and development ministers discussed the implementation of agreements reached at the AU-EU summit held 29 and 30 November 2017 in Abidjan. The focus was on the operationalization of the EU-AU-UN cooperation within the Joint Task Force for combating human trafficking and saving migrants. Croatia recognizes economic opportunities as well as the possibility of development cooperation in Africa. In our National Strategy of Development Cooperation, we have identified Egypt and Tanzania as the countries for stronger engagement in that regard.  

The FAC Development discussed a more efficient linking of trade and development measures as well as strengthening the humanitarian-development ties. 

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