Minister Grlić Radman on topics of informal EU foreign affairs ministers meeting (Gymnich)

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman addressed the media ahead of an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers (Gymnich), outlining the topics on the agenda

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman addressed the media ahead of an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers (Gymnich), outlining the topics on the agenda.

“We will discuss the strengthening of political and economic partnership with Africa. It is in our strategic interest. We want to work with our African partners and help them deal with challenges and utilize opportunities. For Croatia, the issue of migration is important. Here we expect a stronger engagement from our African partners in order to prevent their citizens from leaving on a dangerous journey towards Europe. We will help build capacities for migration management,” the minister said.

Grlić Radman said the ministers would also discuss unresolved conflicts in the Eastern Neighbourhood. “Five out of six of our Eastern European neighbours have no control over parts of their territory. These are Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, Armenia and Azerbaijan. We will discuss how we can help them resolve these conflicts, some of which have been ongoing for decades. I will push for a stronger political engagement. As with the Western Balkans, there is a clear need for a stronger political approach to challenges in the region,” said the minister, underlining Croatia’s experience with peaceful reintegration and how we can contribute to the EU’s efforts.

In addition, Grlić Radman said the ministers would discuss the strengthening of cooperation with the Asian partners in the Pacific Region and the implementation of the Indo-Pacific Strategy adopted in April.

The EU ministers will be joined by Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, with whom they will discuss the situation in the Middle East, notably the prospects of launching the peace process in light of the recent escalation of the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.

 

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