- Published: 08.05.2022.
Prime Minister Plenković visits Ukraine
Croatia knows what it is like to be under military aggression and continues to offer political, diplomatic, financial, humanitarian, technical and all other support to Ukraine, as well as assistance in accommodating Ukrainian refugees. The Ukrainian officials will familiarize Plenković with the scope of devastation and discuss additional assistance as well as the continuation of Ukraine’s European journey.
Plenković’s visit to Ukraine coincides with Europe Day and is an expression of solidarity and support for the Ukrainian authorities and the friendly Ukrainian people, victims of the brutal Russian aggression. Before the invasion, the prime minister attended the Crimea Platform Summit with EU leaders in August 2021 and paid an official visit to Ukraine in December 2021.
Plenković and Radman were welcomed by Croatian Ambassador Anica Djamić, who has returned to Kyiv to continue running the Embassy.
Croatia admires resistance of Ukrainian people
Croatia admires the resistance of the Ukrainian people and their European aspirations and is ready to help with its own experience in post-war reconstruction, Plenković said during the visit to Kyiv.
“We admire the resistance you have demonstrated in the face of the Russian aggression. You are fighting not only for the freedom of Ukraine but also for the values that we all share,” he said.
Croatia itself experienced military aggression and that is why “we understand how hard the pressure is and how difficult the situation is for the defenders and Ukrainians,” said Plenković.
“I have the highest regard for the heroism of Ukrainian soldiers defending their homes, their families, their territory and their homeland.”
Addressing a joint press conference with President Zelensky, Plenković noted that he was well aware of the European aspirations of the Ukrainian people.
Before becoming prime minister, Plenković had served as chairman of the European Parliament delegation to Ukraine and headed an EP observer mission for the 2014 election in Ukraine. As prime minister, he had offered Ukraine Croatia’s experience with the peaceful reintegration of the Danube region after its 1991-1995 Homeland War.
Plenković also offered Croatia’s experience with post-war reconstruction, mine clearance, and reconciliation.
“We would like to share this experience with you,” he said, recalling that he had last visited Kyiv five months ago when he and Zelensky signed a statement on Ukraine’s EU membership perspective.
He commended Ukraine for responding so quickly to the EU questionnaire, presented to the Ukrainian president in Kyiv by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, which is the first step by an aspirant country to gain the status of a membership candidate.
“We will be on your side every step of the way,” Plenković said.
Croatia has supported the first five packages of sanctions which the EU has imposed on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine and will support a sixth package which is being prepared.
Plenković expressed satisfaction that Croatian Ambassador Anica Djamić has returned to Kyiv and that the Embassy will continue to operate normally. “This, too, is a strong sign of support to Ukraine and Ukrainians,” he said.
Zelensky: Sanctions need to be strengthened
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told the press that Plenković’s visit was extremely important and that it underscored Croatia’s support.
“Croatia is a member of the anti-war coalition and together we are trying to defend the right to self-determination and free and independent life for Europe as a whole, as well as the return of the rule of law. Croatia knows what it means to fight for freedom, it experienced war, and that is why we speak the same language and share the same values. The talks with Prime Minister Plenković were productive; we discussed the steps that need to be taken in the defence and energy sector against Russia,” Zelensky said.
“The sanctions need to be strengthened. We hope that it would yield results and that Russia will cease the attack. We are grateful that Croatia has supported all six sanction packages and hope to return to normal life. Croatia has a great mine action experience and we hope you will provide your assistance once the Russian forces leave,” he said.
“We will have to put for great efforts to return to normalcy. Croatia has expressed support for Ukraine’s EU journey and in June, we will continue with these efforts, which is extremely important to us. We discussed all that has to be done to end the war, notably what is going on in the Donbas region,” Zelensky said.
Plenković also met with Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, with whom he discussed additional financial and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, energy cooperation, exchange of mine action experiences and the country’s European journey.
“Croatia will continue to help the friendly Ukrainian people and offer assistance in the accommodation of refugees,” Plenković tweeted.
The prime minister also held talks with Parliament Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk, underlining that Croatia would continue to offer political, diplomatic and any other support to Ukraine, as well as carry on with the parliamentary cooperation, especially concerning Ukraine’s EU journey.
After the meeting with the Ukrainian officials, the Croatian delegation toured Irpin and Bucha, sites of massive damage to civilian objects.
“We express our regrets over the innocent victims and the large number of Ukrainians who had to leave their homes,” Plenković said.
Text: Hina/MFEA