Foreign and European Affairs Minister Gordan Grlić Radman ceremoniously unveiled a cravat on the facade of the Croatian Embassy in Vienna, symbolically marking the start of Croatia’s Council of the EU presidency.
At the invitation of Austria’s Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg, Grlić Radman attended the traditional New Year's Day concert by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. Ahead of the concert, he held talks with Austria’s Chancellor Brigitte Bierlein, Sweden's Prime Minister Stefan Löfven, and Schallenberg.
During the next six months, Croatia will chair the work of the Council of the EU, building cooperation and dialogue among the member states in the spirit of consensus and mutual respect. Croatia’s presidency comes at a time of great changes in the EU, the start of a new institutional and legislative cycle, and Brexit.
Uneven economic development, climate change, migrations, disinformation and growing populism are just some of modern day challenges, which citizens rightfully expect a response to. It can only come from a strong Europe. Therein lies our unity and our greatest strength. In order to bring the EU and its benefits even closer to its citizens, we will encourage even stronger dialogue, also through the Conference of the Future of Europe. Guided by Croatia’s national priorities, in accordance with the 2019-2024 Strategic Agenda and following the Trio’s programme, Croatia has drafted its EU presidency programme, which rests on four pillars: a Europe that Develops, a Europe that Connects, a Europe that Protects, and a Europe that Influences. These four priorities are integrated in the motto of “A Strong Europe in a World Full of Challenges”, which summarizes a vision of the EU acting in the best interest of its member states and citizens.
Croatia’s EU presidency will also take into account the strategic documents to be harmonized among EU institutions and the 2020 work programme of the new European Commission. An ambitious, balanced and sustainable MFF for 2021-2027 is a precondition for achieving our goals. We will push for reaching a comprehensive agreement as soon as possible to facilitate a timely implementation of all policies and programmes, in the service of building a stronger Europe in the world of constant changes and challenges.