Minister Grlić Radman in Brussels talks Western Balkans, Ukraine, Middle East, Indo-Pacific

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman visited Brussels from 19 to 21 November 2025, where he took part in a series of key meetings dedicated to European security, neighbourhood stability, and strengthening the European Union’s partnerships with countries of the Indo-Pacific region.
 
During his stay, Grlić Radman participated in the high-level conference “Thirty Years after Dayton: Lessons Learned,” as the envoy of the prime minister of Croatia. He underlined Croatia’s decisive role in ending the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as its lasting support for the country’s sovereignty, stability, and the equality of its three constituent peoples. Following the conference, he opened the exhibition “1100 Years of the Croatian Kingdom and the Coronation of King Tomislav,” dedicated to the rich historical and cultural heritage of Croatian statehood.
 
He also took part in an informal dinner of EU and Western Balkan foreign ministers, where he stressed that enlargement is one of the key instruments for Europe’s long-term security. He called on regional partners to fully align with the EU’s foreign and security policy, to strengthen good-neighbourly relations, and to continue with necessary reforms.
 
Grlić Radman then attended the meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council. In the discussion on Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, Croatia reiterated its firm support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, emphasising the importance of long-term, predictable, and comprehensive European assistance, including support for energy resilience and the strengthening of institutional cooperation.
 
In the debate on the Middle East, he underscored the importance of enhancing the European Union’s role in implementing the Gaza peace plan, particularly regarding humanitarian aid, the reform of the Palestinian Authority, and the strengthening of CSDP civilian missions. Ministers also reviewed the humanitarian situation in Sudan and discussed the need for a pragmatic, needs-based EU approach towards the Sahel region.
 
At the meeting of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee for Palestine, he reaffirmed Croatia’s commitment to a two-state solution and recalled Croatia’s substantial humanitarian assistance to the population of Gaza.
 
Brussels also hosted the fourth EU-Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum, focused on strengthening the European Union’s partnerships with Indo-Pacific countries and advancing cooperation in the fields of security, strategic stability, and sustainable development. Held under the theme “Building a Resilient, Prosperous and Secure Future Together,” the Forum brought together ministers and senior representatives from Europe and the Indo-Pacific with the aim of further implementing the EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
 
On the margins of the Forum, the minister held bilateral talks with Singapore’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan, Vietnam’s Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang, and Somalia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Abdisalam Abdi Ali, with particular emphasis on strengthening political dialogue, trade exchange, and sustainable development.
 
By taking part in these meetings, Grlić Radman reaffirmed the Republic of Croatia’s strong commitment to reinforcing the European Union’s common foreign and security policy, supporting Ukraine, promoting stability in the Western Balkans, and deepening partnerships with countries of the Indo-Pacific region.

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