Minister Grlić Radman attends MSC panel on Western Balkans

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman on Thursday participated in a panel debate on “The Western Balkans at the Crossroads: Returning to Integration or Great Power Rivalry?” held as part of the 58th Munich Security Conference.
 
Grlić Radman spoke about the political and security challenges in the countries of Southeast Europe, underscoring the importance of their Euro-Atlantic integration. “All Western Balkan countries have clearly expressed the desire and ambition to join the EU. On the other hand, the EU promised them a European perspective 20 years ago,” he said, adding that the region needed to stay high on the EU agenda.
 
The minister underlined the importance of NATO, U.S. and EU acting confidently and in unison. “Incorporating the Western Balkans into the Euro-Atlantic political and security architecture has a positive effect on its stability and economic prosperity. Croatia, as the region’s immediate neighbour, is very much interested in its Euro-Atlantic path and the implementation of reforms,” he said.
 
In addition, Grlić Radman reflected on the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the importance of electoral reform, which should ensure the European path and defuse internal tensions, including the destructive unitary and separatist politics. “Croatia wants to see a peaceful and prosperous Bosnia and Herzegovina, firmly committed to internal harmonization and set on its European path,” he said, expressing concern that the failure to implement the necessary reforms would worsen the political crisis, thereby directly affecting the stability and security of BiH and the Western Balkans as a whole.

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