- Published: 16.02.2025.
Minister Grlić Radman attends 61st Munich Security Conference
Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman participated in the 61st Munich Security Conference on Saturday and Sunday, February 15-16, 2025, as part of the delegation led by Prime Minister Andrej Plenković. During his stay in Munich, Grlić Radman held a series of bilateral meetings.
On the first day of the conference, he met with Luigi di Maio, the Special Representative for the Gulf Region. The discussions confirmed that the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) share common strategic interests, particularly in promoting peace and stability. The minister emphasized that Croatia remains committed to strengthening EU-GCC cooperation in various areas, with a special focus on regional and global stability.
In a meeting with Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Foreign Minister Elmedin Konaković, Grlić Radman reaffirmed Croatia’s strong partnership with Bosnia and Herzegovina in enhancing stability and achieving its European perspective. The ministers discussed the political situation and the importance of continuing reforms on Bosnia and Herzegovina’s path to EU integration. Welcoming the adoption of key laws essential for opening accession negotiations with the European Union, Grlić Radman stressed the importance of electoral reform, full equality of constituent peoples, and further efforts in judicial reform.
With the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Peru, Elmer José Germán González Schialer Salcedo, Grlić Radman discussed opportunities for strengthening bilateral relations. He highlighted Peru’s historical significance for Croatians, as it was the first South American country where Croats began emigrating as early as the 16th century. The two ministers exchanged views on OECD accession and their shared commitment to democracy, the free market, and human rights protection. Grlić Radman emphasized that Croatia remains dedicated to deepening bilateral ties with Peru and cooperating through European initiatives.
Minister Grlić Radman also met with Peter Sørensen, the European Union’s Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue. They discussed the importance of the EU-facilitated dialogue as a framework for resolving outstanding issues and ensuring stability in the Western Balkans. The interlocutors stressed the need for a balanced approach to build trust and encourage continued dialogue. Grlić Radman emphasized the necessity of constructive engagement to secure progress, reaffirming Croatia’s commitment to efforts that contribute to a sustainable and lasting solution.
During talks with Helga Maria Schmid, Vice President of the Munich Security Conference Foundation and President of the European Institute of Peace, Grlić Radman highlighted Croatia’s dedication to the search for missing persons in armed conflicts and its co-chairmanship of the Global Alliance for the Missing. The discussion also covered the importance of multilateral cooperation and the role of the United Nations in ensuring global stability, as well as Croatia’s contributions to the UN, particularly in peacebuilding, humanitarian aid, and the protection of international law.
In a meeting with Kosovo’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Donika Gërvalla-Schwarz, Grlić Radman emphasized the importance of improving living conditions for Croats in Kosovo. The two parties confirmed their strong bilateral relations and underlined the significance of cooperation agreements that ensure continued collaboration. Grlić Radman reiterated Croatia’s support for Kosovo’s EU integration, stressing the need for EU-facilitated dialogue to resolve open issues and secure lasting regional stability.
Minister Grlić Radman also met with the Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Asaad Hasan Al-Shaibani, to discuss the situation in Syria, focusing on stability, state reconstruction, and efforts to achieve an inclusive political solution. They also explored possibilities for reviving economic cooperation, particularly in the energy sector. Grlić Radman expressed Croatia’s commitment and support in securing peace and stability.
On the second day of the conference, Minister Grlić Radman met with a delegation of U.S. Congressional representatives to discuss strengthening the partnership between Croatia and the United States. He emphasized that energy security is one of the key pillars of this relationship. The minister stated that strengthening the transatlantic partnership begins with ensuring energy security, noting that 65% of Croatia’s gas supplies come from the U.S. and that the expansion of the LNG terminal on the island of Krk enhances energy resilience and independence from Russia. Grlić Radman added that economic ties between the two countries continue to grow, with American investments in Croatia creating new jobs and fostering mutual prosperity.
Press releases
On the first day of the conference, he met with Luigi di Maio, the Special Representative for the Gulf Region. The discussions confirmed that the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) share common strategic interests, particularly in promoting peace and stability. The minister emphasized that Croatia remains committed to strengthening EU-GCC cooperation in various areas, with a special focus on regional and global stability.
In a meeting with Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Foreign Minister Elmedin Konaković, Grlić Radman reaffirmed Croatia’s strong partnership with Bosnia and Herzegovina in enhancing stability and achieving its European perspective. The ministers discussed the political situation and the importance of continuing reforms on Bosnia and Herzegovina’s path to EU integration. Welcoming the adoption of key laws essential for opening accession negotiations with the European Union, Grlić Radman stressed the importance of electoral reform, full equality of constituent peoples, and further efforts in judicial reform.
With the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Peru, Elmer José Germán González Schialer Salcedo, Grlić Radman discussed opportunities for strengthening bilateral relations. He highlighted Peru’s historical significance for Croatians, as it was the first South American country where Croats began emigrating as early as the 16th century. The two ministers exchanged views on OECD accession and their shared commitment to democracy, the free market, and human rights protection. Grlić Radman emphasized that Croatia remains dedicated to deepening bilateral ties with Peru and cooperating through European initiatives.
Minister Grlić Radman also met with Peter Sørensen, the European Union’s Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue. They discussed the importance of the EU-facilitated dialogue as a framework for resolving outstanding issues and ensuring stability in the Western Balkans. The interlocutors stressed the need for a balanced approach to build trust and encourage continued dialogue. Grlić Radman emphasized the necessity of constructive engagement to secure progress, reaffirming Croatia’s commitment to efforts that contribute to a sustainable and lasting solution.
During talks with Helga Maria Schmid, Vice President of the Munich Security Conference Foundation and President of the European Institute of Peace, Grlić Radman highlighted Croatia’s dedication to the search for missing persons in armed conflicts and its co-chairmanship of the Global Alliance for the Missing. The discussion also covered the importance of multilateral cooperation and the role of the United Nations in ensuring global stability, as well as Croatia’s contributions to the UN, particularly in peacebuilding, humanitarian aid, and the protection of international law.
In a meeting with Kosovo’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Donika Gërvalla-Schwarz, Grlić Radman emphasized the importance of improving living conditions for Croats in Kosovo. The two parties confirmed their strong bilateral relations and underlined the significance of cooperation agreements that ensure continued collaboration. Grlić Radman reiterated Croatia’s support for Kosovo’s EU integration, stressing the need for EU-facilitated dialogue to resolve open issues and secure lasting regional stability.
Minister Grlić Radman also met with the Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Asaad Hasan Al-Shaibani, to discuss the situation in Syria, focusing on stability, state reconstruction, and efforts to achieve an inclusive political solution. They also explored possibilities for reviving economic cooperation, particularly in the energy sector. Grlić Radman expressed Croatia’s commitment and support in securing peace and stability.
On the second day of the conference, Minister Grlić Radman met with a delegation of U.S. Congressional representatives to discuss strengthening the partnership between Croatia and the United States. He emphasized that energy security is one of the key pillars of this relationship. The minister stated that strengthening the transatlantic partnership begins with ensuring energy security, noting that 65% of Croatia’s gas supplies come from the U.S. and that the expansion of the LNG terminal on the island of Krk enhances energy resilience and independence from Russia. Grlić Radman added that economic ties between the two countries continue to grow, with American investments in Croatia creating new jobs and fostering mutual prosperity.