Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Marija Pejčinović Burić is paying a two-day visit to the United States.
On the first day of her visit, Pejčinović Burić delivered a talk at the Atlantic Council on “Croatia’s view: How to ensure a strong and successful European Union”. She underscored key challenges such as illegal migration, debates on the future of Europe, the EU after Brexit, upcoming elections for the European Parliament, energy security and the political situation in Southeast Europe. She also talked about Croatia’s preparations for joining the Schengen area and the eurozone, as well as the prospects of the Three Seas Initiative ahead of a summit in Bucharest.
Pejčinović Burić met with members of the Croatian community in Washington. In her address, she highlighted the invaluable importance of the Croatian diaspora’s support since the gaining of independence in the early 1990s. “You are very important to us. You are the bridge that connects our two countries. You have helped build trust and understanding between your country of descent and the country you live in, and for that we are extremely grateful,” the minister said.
She thanked all of the associations for their work, stressing that the Croatian Government through various programmes and initiatives offered support and strengthened cooperation between the homeland and diaspora.