Minister Grlić Radman attends working breakfast with EU ambassadors to Croatia

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman attended a working breakfast with the ambassadors of the EU Member States to the Republic of Croatia on Tuesday, 14 July 2026, held to mark the beginning of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU. On this occasion, he thanked the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU for the important achievements accomplished during the first half of the year and wished Ireland every success in its Presidency, expressing support for its priorities aimed at strengthening Europe’s competitiveness, security and shared values.
 
Referring to the Irish Presidency’s motto, “Strength in Unity”, the minister underscored the importance of preserving the unity of the European Union in addressing complex geopolitical developments, particularly the security challenges in the Middle East and Ukraine. He called for continued comprehensive support for Ukraine, as well as for strengthening defence cooperation and resilience both at the EU level and in relations with Ukraine. He also welcomed the Irish Presidency’s ambition to achieve further progress in the negotiations on the new Multiannual Financial Framework, while emphasising the importance of continuing efforts to enhance the EU’s energy resilience.
 
In addition, Grlić Radman expressed support for Ireland’s intention to place particular emphasis on the enlargement policy during its Presidency. He especially welcomed the holding of four Intergovernmental Conferences, at which, on 14 July 2026 in Brussels, negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova were opened under Cluster 6, while negotiations with Albania were provisionally closed under Chapters 25, 26 and 30, and with Montenegro under Chapters 8 and 29. He reiterated Croatia’s strong support for the European perspective of the Western Balkans, Ukraine and Moldova, stressing that the enlargement process must remain merit-based.
 
The minister also briefly informed participants about this week’s Foreign Affairs Council and highlighted the importance of opening Bosnia and Herzegovina’s EU accession negotiations as soon as possible, subject to the implementation of the necessary reforms, including electoral reform ahead of the autumn parliamentary elections, in order to ensure full respect for the constitutional equality of the three constituent peoples in the future.
 
In conclusion, Grlić Radman stressed that, throughout its Presidency of the Council of the EU, Ireland would have in Croatia a constructive and reliable partner.

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