Minister Grlić Radman participates in informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Ireland

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman participated in the informal meeting of the foreign ministers of the EU Member States, known as the Gymnich, held on 1 and 2 September in Wicklow, Ireland.
 
The meeting was organised under the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, in cooperation with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas. The Gymnich provides an opportunity for ministers to engage in an open and strategic exchange of views on the most pressing current geopolitical challenges and the role of the European Union on the international stage.
 
At the centre of the ministers’ discussions was the continuation of strong and comprehensive European Union support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s war of aggression, as well as possibilities for further increasing pressure on Russia with a view to ending the war and achieving a just and lasting peace.
 
Particular attention was also paid to the situation in the Middle East, including the latest developments related to the conflict involving Iran and the Gulf region, the humanitarian situation in Gaza, and the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in the West Bank. The ministers also discussed the situation in Lebanon, support for the two-state solution, and possibilities for stronger engagement by the European Union and its Member States in support of the Palestinian Authority.
 
Another topic of the meeting was maritime security and freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, as well as the broader question of the European Union’s ability to respond collectively to increasingly complex security and geopolitical challenges.
 
The ministers also discussed ways to further strengthen the effectiveness, influence and agility of the European Union’s external action, including EU engagement in multilateral fora and cooperation with international partners.
 
Informal Gymnich meetings are held twice a year and, unlike formal meetings of the Foreign Affairs Council, do not result in the adoption of decisions or formal conclusions. Their distinctive feature is precisely the opportunity they provide for open and strategic discussion, contributing to the shaping of the European Union’s future priorities and policies.
 
The Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU is guided by the motto “Ní neart go cur le chéile - Strength in unity”, with three key priorities: competitiveness, values and security. Within these priorities, particular emphasis is placed on support for Ukraine, strengthening Europe’s security, and developing the European Union’s relations with its neighbours and partners around the world.
 
Croatia actively participates in discussions on strengthening European security, resilience and the European Union’s international standing, and continues to advocate a strong and united European response to current international crises, based on respect for international law, the protection of civilians and the preservation of the multilateral order.

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