Today, Croatia has the strongest foreign policy position since it became an internationally recognized state, said Prime Minister Andrej Plenković on the sidelines of the annual Conference of Ambassadors, Consuls General and Military Envoys of the Republic of Croatia, which is being held in the midst of the crisis in Afghanistan.
"Croatia has the strongest foreign policy position since it was an internationally recognized state without any dilemmas," Prime Minister Plenković told reporters after meeting with the ambassadors.
The main foreign policy priorities are entering the Schengen area and the eurozone, the Prime Minister reiterated on the sidelines of the annual conference, which featured former British Prime Minister Tony Blair as a special guest.
Prime Minister Plenković accentuated economic recovery, the crisis in Afghanistan and potential migrant flows as immediate challenges, while Croatian Speaker of the Parliament Gordan Jandroković said the focus would remain on the coronavirus pandemic, economic recovery, climate change, developments in the Middle East, the Afghanistan crisis and the possibility of a new wave of migration.
"Our main goals are to join Schengen as soon as possible, considering what is happening in Afghanistan, but it is also very important to enter the eurozone," said Speaker Jandroković.
Jandroković cautioned of the strengthening of China, India, Brazil and stated that the EU can act as a force only with the joint action of its members.
"If we observe countries separately and individually, we see that they are not impactful, but if the EU acts in unity in terms of markets as well as protection of its economic interests, then its impact on the world economy can still be very substantial," Jandrokovic said.
The crisis in Afghanistan
The situation in Kabul is chaotic as thousands of people seek to flee Afghanistan by the 31st of August, the deadline for the withdrawal of U.S. troops. The crisis in Afghanistan raises the issue of refugees and potential new migrant flows.
"The sustainability of the world order is being tested in Kabul at the moment. The world has become vulnerable, international law is being violated," Minister Grlić Radman told reporters, calling for multilateral action and respect for human rights and the rule of law.
The European External Action Service has called on EU members to accept EU staff from Afghanistan, around 500 local people, mostly translators, logisticians and their families. Croatia will receive 20 people, and their arrival is coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs.
"We have expressed our readiness to accept all those people who are in some way connected with Croatia," said Prime Minister Plenković.
Tony Blair addressed the ambassadors
Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, special guest of the annual conference, addressed the press briefly after meeting with the ambassadors.
Blair and Plenković discussed the importance of "a successful vaccination program, not only in the country but also in the rest of the world because it is the only way to get out of the COVID crisis," the former British prime minister said on Thursday.
He also spoke to Plenković about the global situation, the challenges Croatia faces and future cooperation.
"It is important for Europe to remain strong, for NATO to redefine its purpose in today's world. Even though Britain is not a part of EU, it still has very strong relations with Croatia and it is important that we work together in challenging areas," Blair said.
He agrees that one of those challenges is the situation in the Middle East.
“I think peace and stability will eventually come, when there's good governance there, when there is an open-minded society, as well as religious tolerance, and when people take full advantage of the digital economy,” Blair said. “The challenges in the Middle East are very obvious, but so are the opportunities for people who want to take use of them,” he added.
Prime Minister Plenković said the purpose of the former British Prime Minister's visit was "potential cooperation" between Croatia and his Institute for Global Change.
"His role, a non-profit one, is to help countries in various reform processes," Plenković said.
Appointment of ambassadors
The Prime Minister also commented on the appointments of ambassadors.
"The candidates are nominated. All the names are there. Croatian President Milanović should make a statement," Prime Minister Plenković said.
„29 vacancies have been filled, which include diplomatic missions, embassies and permanent missions, consulates general and consulates,“ said Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić Radman.
"I think you will soon know the rotation, we take care of every place, every destination is important to us," said Minister Grlić Radman.
Source: Hina / MVEP