Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman 15 November 2019 attended a meeting of the European Academies’ Science Advisory Council (EASAC), hosted by the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts.
Grlić Radman presented the priorities of Croatia’s presidency of the Council of the EU, after only six years of EU membership. The presidency implies a mediatory role and the art of compromising among the member states, which Croatia is thoroughly preparing for. “The unity of the EU member states in understanding that we need each other to face the challenges of today is one of the distinctive strengths of the EU. Croatia will be proud to take on the task of protecting the EU and its citizens in the first half of 2020 and present itself through presidency to the political, business and cultural public of Europe and the world,” the minister said.
The meeting focused on support for research projects in the EU, notably financial support, harmonising the member states’ policies on migration, and the westward brain drain within the EU. Grlić Radman was hopeful that the distinguished guests would contribute to the realization of Croatia’s i.e. European priorities.
The EASAC brings together academics from the EU member states, Switzerland and Norway to discuss current and future EU policies, especially those concerning sciences and arts. It is currently chaired by Thierry Courvoisier of Switzerland and primarily focused on sustainable development and the future of the planet, with an emphasis on preserving healthy soil and food, reducing exhaust emissions and alleviating the effects of climate imbalance.