- Published: 14.02.2025.
State Secretary Metelko-Zgombić holds political consultations in Sweden, Latvia
State Secretary for Europe, Andreja Metelko-Zgombić, held bilateral political consultations in the Kingdom of Sweden and the Republic of Latvia from February 10 to 12, 2025.
In Stockholm, Metelko-Zgombić met with Swedish Minister for EU Affairs Jessica Rosencrantz. The talks focused on topics of mutual interest, including the implementation of migration and asylum policies, European security and defence, modalities of support for Ukraine, strengthening European competitiveness, and the future of the Multiannual Financial Framework. They confirmed alignment on many of these issues. The state secretary emphasized the importance of cohesion policy, not only in general but also for the smooth functioning of the single market and enhancing competitiveness. Both officials agreed on the need to continue EU enlargement—both concerning Ukraine and Moldova, as well as the Western Balkans—based on individual merit. Metelko-Zgombić provided a detailed update on political processes in the Western Balkans, particularly regarding the fulfilment of set criteria and benchmarks, with a focus on issues of special interest to the Republic of Croatia. Both sides affirmed their openness to further strengthening bilateral relations.
During her visit to Stockholm, the state secretary also met with Göran von Sydow, Director of the Swedish Institute for European Policy Studies. This independent government-affiliated institute conducts research on individual European policies—such as migration—as well as broader European matters of national significance, including EU reform and competitiveness. Their discussion covered the Multiannual Financial Framework, migration policy, EU enlargement, and the single market.
In Riga, bilateral consultations were held with Ingrīda Levrence, Undersecretary for European Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during the same week that the Republic of Croatia and the Republic of Latvia marked 33 years of diplomatic relations. Both officials assessed bilateral relations as excellent, characterized by strong political cooperation, while also identifying opportunities to enhance economic collaboration. They exchanged views on current European issues, including the Multiannual Financial Framework, cohesion and migration policies, and European security. They also discussed the situation in Ukraine and the enlargement of the EU to the Western Balkans. At Latvia’s request, the State Secretary provided a detailed update on political processes in the Western Balkans, particularly in the context of their European path. Both sides expressed interest in continuing intensive political consultations.
At the Latvian Parliament (Saeima), Metelko-Zgombić met with Atis Švinka, President of the newly established parliamentary group for promoting cooperation with the Republic of Croatia, as well as five members of the Saeima, including the Deputy Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee and former Speaker of Parliament and Minister of Defence, Ināra Mūrniece, and former diplomat and current NATO Parliamentary Assembly member, Irma Kalniņa. Both sides expressed a desire for stronger interparliamentary cooperation due to shared interests. They exchanged views on support for Ukraine, European enlargement policy with a focus on the Western Balkans, the need to uphold and protect European values, as well as issues related to demographics, social inequalities, European border security, and migration.
Press releases
In Stockholm, Metelko-Zgombić met with Swedish Minister for EU Affairs Jessica Rosencrantz. The talks focused on topics of mutual interest, including the implementation of migration and asylum policies, European security and defence, modalities of support for Ukraine, strengthening European competitiveness, and the future of the Multiannual Financial Framework. They confirmed alignment on many of these issues. The state secretary emphasized the importance of cohesion policy, not only in general but also for the smooth functioning of the single market and enhancing competitiveness. Both officials agreed on the need to continue EU enlargement—both concerning Ukraine and Moldova, as well as the Western Balkans—based on individual merit. Metelko-Zgombić provided a detailed update on political processes in the Western Balkans, particularly regarding the fulfilment of set criteria and benchmarks, with a focus on issues of special interest to the Republic of Croatia. Both sides affirmed their openness to further strengthening bilateral relations.
During her visit to Stockholm, the state secretary also met with Göran von Sydow, Director of the Swedish Institute for European Policy Studies. This independent government-affiliated institute conducts research on individual European policies—such as migration—as well as broader European matters of national significance, including EU reform and competitiveness. Their discussion covered the Multiannual Financial Framework, migration policy, EU enlargement, and the single market.
In Riga, bilateral consultations were held with Ingrīda Levrence, Undersecretary for European Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during the same week that the Republic of Croatia and the Republic of Latvia marked 33 years of diplomatic relations. Both officials assessed bilateral relations as excellent, characterized by strong political cooperation, while also identifying opportunities to enhance economic collaboration. They exchanged views on current European issues, including the Multiannual Financial Framework, cohesion and migration policies, and European security. They also discussed the situation in Ukraine and the enlargement of the EU to the Western Balkans. At Latvia’s request, the State Secretary provided a detailed update on political processes in the Western Balkans, particularly in the context of their European path. Both sides expressed interest in continuing intensive political consultations.
At the Latvian Parliament (Saeima), Metelko-Zgombić met with Atis Švinka, President of the newly established parliamentary group for promoting cooperation with the Republic of Croatia, as well as five members of the Saeima, including the Deputy Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee and former Speaker of Parliament and Minister of Defence, Ināra Mūrniece, and former diplomat and current NATO Parliamentary Assembly member, Irma Kalniņa. Both sides expressed a desire for stronger interparliamentary cooperation due to shared interests. They exchanged views on support for Ukraine, European enlargement policy with a focus on the Western Balkans, the need to uphold and protect European values, as well as issues related to demographics, social inequalities, European border security, and migration.