- Published: 16.06.2025.
Minister Grlić Radman attends SEECP Summit in Tirana
The summit brought together heads of state and government, as well as other high-level representatives from the thirteen participating SEECP countries.
In his address, Grlić Radman reaffirmed Croatia’s strong commitment to regional cooperation, stability, and the European integration of South-East European countries, emphasizing that a secure, democratic, and prosperous Western Balkans is in the interest of all of Europe. He stressed that the European Union must remain firmly focused on enlargement, which he described as a geostrategic investment in European security and prosperity.
The minister particularly welcomed Albania’s significant progress in EU accession negotiations, highlighting the opening of three additional clusters in the past eight months. He called on all regional partners to intensify efforts to meet EU membership criteria, especially in the areas of the rule of law and democracy, noting that these are the foundations of the enlargement process. He also underscored the importance of alignment with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy—not just as a technical requirement, but as a strategic imperative.
Grlić Radman emphasized the importance of good neighbourly relations, resolving outstanding issues, reconciliation, and building mutual trust as key elements of stability and cooperation in the region. As a responsible EU member and a candidate for OECD membership, Croatia actively contributes to the sustainable development of South-East Europe. He highlighted Croatia’s involvement in Digital and Green Transition projects for small and medium-sized enterprises in collaboration with the OECD, as well as participation in the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF), through which Croatia directly supports the region’s reform and infrastructure priorities.
In his speech, the minister specifically pointed to the importance of the Corridor Vc construction project in Bosnia and Herzegovina, assessing it as a crucial infrastructure initiative that directly contributes to connectivity, economic development, and the European perspective of BiH.
He also singled out the Vau i Dejës floating solar power plant project in Albania as an example of concrete cooperation in renewable energy and the green transition in South-East Europe.
Based on these points, Grlić Radman underlined that Croatia remains firmly committed to cooperation in South-East Europe and continues to act as a reliable and relevant partner within the SEECP.
In conclusion, he congratulated Albania on its successful Chairmanship and expressed full support for Bulgaria as the incoming Chair for the 2025-2026 period.
As part of the SEECP framework, a ministerial meeting had previously been held, attended by State Secretary for Political Affairs Frano Matušić.