Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman on 1 July 2020 officially visited Berlin on the occasion of Germany’s taking over the Council of the EU presidency.
After a symbolic handover to German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, Grlić Radman expressed confidence in the success of the German presidency. He also highlighted successful cooperation between the two countries, strong bilateral relations, the large and integrated Croat community in Germany, as well as the Action Plan foreseeing cooperation in a number of areas.
“It is a great success that despite the pandemic you managed to make sure the EU is efficient in these difficult times and I thank you for it,” Maas said, adding that Croatia had been faced with challenges nobody could have expected and stressing that the two countries had been in touch throughout the pandemic.
“Croatia’s EU presidency took place amid unprecedented circumstances, but we were quick, agile and innovative, and have adapted to this difficult situation,” Grlić Radman said, underlining that safety and economic security of EU citizens was Croatia’s key priority during the presidency. The minister also highlighted other successes: the adoption of amended EU budget for 2020, orderly Brexit, repatriation of 650,000 EU citizens, as well as launching of accession talks with Albania and North Macedonia.
Grlić Radman wished his German counterpart success, adding he was looking forward to the continuation of the two countries’ friendly relations and partnership.
After the handover ceremony in front of the Brandenburg Gate, Grlić Radman met with representatives of the Croat community in Berlin.