The Koprivnica-Križevci County hosted the 7th meeting of government officials with county prefects, representatives of the associations of towns and municipalities, and chairman of the parliament's local government committee.
The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, who underscored that synergy, dialogue and communication is what enables Croatia’s decentralization and uniform regional development. He said that the meeting with county prefects in Koprivnica was referential as it linked state offices with county administration.
After Plenković’s keynote address, Foreign and European Affairs Minister Gordan Grlić Radman presented the priorities of Croatia’s EU presidency, notably MFF, Brexit and enlargement. He said Croatia would emphasize demographic revitalization as a priority issue that affects economy, pensions, environment and education.
“Our activities will certainly focus on Croatian citizens and their needs and wants, because we want them to feel the advantages and opportunities of EU membership even more. Ensuring funds will mean more county projects and therefore more possibilities for development,” Grlić Radman said, recalling the importance of financing the construction of the Pelješac Bridge.
Given that Croatia will host 161 events during its EU presidency, 28 of which will be at the highest level, Grlić Radman told county prefects that some of the meetings will be held in their counties, which is an opportunity for the presentation of Croatia’s richness and diversity. “The EU presidency is also an opportunity to strengthen Croatia’s visibility and impact within the EU, while at the same time boosting the EU’s visibility and impact within Croatia,” he concluded.