Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman 5 March 2020 hosted an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers. The meeting was held in Lužnica Castle.
The ministers discussed the Union’s relations with Russia and Turkey and the ways to advance them. Concerning Russia, the ministers discussed the prospects of deepening cooperation in areas of mutual interest, such as climate change and energy. The five guiding principles remain in effect, as do the sanctions, which are directly tied to a full implementation of the Minsk agreements. Russia is an actor in matters and regions of importance to the EU, so additional efforts will be put forth regarding Syria, Libya, Ukraine and the Arctic.
As for Turkey, the ministers agreed the relations had taken a turn for the worse in the past several years and that it was necessary to discuss a way forward. The EU cannot accept the increased migratory pressure at its external border. However, it does recognize Turkey’s huge efforts in accommodating four million refugees and all the challenges it entails.
At the extraordinary meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council scheduled for 6 March in Zagreb, the ministers will discuss in depth the situation in Syria and Turkey.