Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman on Wednesday held a video conference with the ambassadors of EU member states, the Holy See, Switzerland and Norway, and the head of the European Commission Representation to Croatia.
The minister familiarized ambassadors with the measures the government had taken to contain the COVID-19 outbreak as well as those announced for jump-starting economic and other services and activities. The interlocutors underscored mutual support and solidarity in fighting this global threat.
Grlić Radman outlined the results of the Croatian Council of the EU presidency so far. "Together with the European External Action Service and you, the member states, we are engaged in the repatriation processes. To date, about 90% of citizens have been returned from third countries, all thanks to joint consular efforts coordinated by our presidency," the minister said.
"In spite of these extraordinary circumstances, the Croatian presidency has continued working on the EU enlargement. We are extremely pleased with the Council's decision to launch accession talks with Albania and North Macedonia. Still ahead is the EU-Western Balkans summit, which will be held as a video conference on May 6, and continued pushing for the European prospects of our neighbours," he said.
Grlić Radman and his colleagues answered questions regarding the concept and further implementation of the presidency, announcing constant communication with ambassadors of both the EU and non-EU countries, with the aim of exchanging information and maintaining dialogue.