The Eastern Partnership and enlargement were key topics of the political consultations Assistant Minister for European Affairs Hrvoje Marušić held at the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs 28 January. Marušić met with State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Frank Belfrage, Director General for Political Affairs Torbjörn Sohlström and Head of the EU Department Mikaela Kumlin Granit. The officials expressed support for the opening of Serbia’s EU accession talks and reforms in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as Croatia’s role in enlargement, including the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs’ Centre of Excellence.
Marušić also held talks with State Secretary at the European Affairs Minister’s Office Oscar Wåglund Söderström and Head of European Affairs Coordination Department at the Prime Minister’s Office Johan Krafft. The talks focused on the EU migration policy, solidarity among member states and eliminating the causes of migration. Croatia and Sweden share the view on the free movement of workers being one of the fundamental principles of the EU. The interlocutors underlined the necessity of better utilizing the single market potential, opening new jobs and including the citizens in communication about European processes and the upcoming European Parliament elections.
The topics also included institutional aspects of the EU, coordination of European affairs and long-term priorities of European cooperation. Marušić stressed employment policy and continuing with the construction of energy and transport network.
At the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs 29 January Marušić met with Political Director Kim Jørgenson and EU Director Jens Kisling. The officials talked about the monetary union, expressing support for the strengthening of economic policies coordination and the status of member states not in the Euro zone. The priorities include economic growth, boosting competitiveness and employment, strengthening of the EU’s global competitiveness and maritime industry. Discussing enlargement, the interlocutors stressed Croatia’s role in the process and backed the reforms in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The talks also reviewed the principles of subsidiarity as a useful mechanism if it results in a more quality, efficient and focused functioning of EU institutions. It is also important to strengthen the dialogue between the European Parliament and national parliaments, the officials agreed.
The talks with Vice-Chairman of the Danish Parliament’s European Affairs Committee Morten Bødskov revolved around the cooperation between national parliaments and governments and linking national parliaments with the European Parliament, for which Denmark has drafted a list of concrete proposals. In regard to the upcoming European Parliament elections, the interlocutors agreed it was necessary to prompt the public to engage more actively in European processes.