State Secretary for Europe Andreja Metelko-Zgombić participated in an informal videoconference of European affairs ministers that took stock of the items on the Council’s agenda.
Concerning COVID-19 and the EU-level activities, the Commission reported on the positive dynamic of vaccine distribution in the second quarter and the plans for the 2022-2023 period. The Portuguese presidency reported on the agreement on the Commission’s proposal to introduce digital green certificates, underscoring hope that the talks with the European Parliament would be over by end-May so that the issuing of certificates could start before the summer season. Metelko-Zgombić stressed the importance of ensuring adequate amounts of vaccine, expressing support for the efforts to strengthen production capacities across the EU. She underlined the importance of informing the citizens about the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine, adding that Croatia was working intensely on the technical solutions for introducing digital green certificates.
Commission’s Vice-President Šefčovič reported on the state of the EU-UK relations in the context of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement, including the Northern Ireland Protocol. Metelko-Zgombić expressed concern over the recent events in Northern Ireland, underscoring that the full implementation of the Protocol was the best way to preserve peace and stability and protect the single market.
The ministers continued the annual dialogue on the rule of law in the Union following the Commission’s annual report of September 2020 and exchanged views on the national chapters for Germany, France, Spain, Greece and Ireland. The Council will pick up the dialogue in the fall of 2021 by reviewing the next annual report. Metelko-Zgombić welcomed the continuation of an informal, open and constructive dialogue on the rule of law in the Council as an opportunity to exchange experiences and best practices, and as an important step towards strengthening the joint understanding of the rule of law in the Union. Croatia supports a dialogue based on transparency and equal treatment of all member states.
Commission’s Vice-President Šuica and the Portuguese presidency informed the ministers about the preparations for the inauguration of the Conference on the Future of Europe on 9 May. Metelko-Zgombić welcomed yesterday’s launch of an interactive multilingual digital platform that allows the citizens to participate directly in the joint reflection on the future of the Union and its policies. She also announced the holding of the inaugural event in Croatia in May.
Conclusively, the Portuguese presidency reported on the status and future steps of the enlargement and the stabilization and association processes, with a view to holding intergovernmental conferences (with North Macedonia, Albania, Serbia and Montenegro), in the context of the new accession methodology.