- Published: 17.12.2019.
State Secretary Metelko-Zgombić visits Madrid
State Secretary for European Affairs Andreja Metelko-Zgombić paid a visit to Madrid, where she attended the 14th ASEM Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
State Secretary for European Affairs Andreja Metelko-Zgombić paid a visit to Madrid, where she attended the 14th ASEM Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and held political consultations with the State Secretary for EU Affairs at the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Luis Marco Aguiriano Nalda.
The 14th ASEM Foreign Ministers’ Meeting was held under the banner of “Asia and Europe: Together for Effective Multilateralism” and gathered representatives from more than 50 European and Asian countries, as well as representatives from the EU and ASEAN. The meeting focused on stimulating the multilateral system and strengthening sustainable ties between Europe and Asia, as well as boosting cooperation on a number of regional and security issues.
In her address, underlines the importance of ASEM meetings as a confirmation of Europe-Asia connections. She outlined Croatia’s EU presidency priorities, which include connections as a vital tool for global competitiveness. She underscored the role of ASEM in building an efficient multilateralism and international order with the UN at its core, as well as international trade system based on WTO rules. Metelko-Zgombić stressed that in that regard Croatia supported the topic of this meeting (“Together for Effective Multilateralism”).
On the fringes of the meeting, she held bilateral talks with delegation of New Zealand and Vietnam.
During her stay in Madrid, Metelko-Zgombić held bilateral consultations with the State Secretary for EU Affairs at the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Luis Marco Aguiriano Nalda. The two officials exchanged views on topical EU matters.
Metelko-Zgombić informed Aguiriano about the priorities of and preparations for Croatia’s EU presidency. They exchanged views on a number of issues crucial for said period: Brexit, MFF, enlargement, accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia, and the Zagreb Summit of May 2020. They also discussed cooperation in the area of common security and defence policy and the “Green Deal” and underscored the need for a unified approach to the migration issues.
The two officials reflected on Croatia-Spain bilateral relations, expressing satisfaction with their intensification, as well as desire for their additional deepening, notably in the areas of economy and culture. Aguiriano underscored Spain’s support for Croatia’s eurozone and Schengen accession, adding he planned to visit Croatia during its EU presidency.