State Secretary for Europe Andreja Metelko-Zgombić delivered the keynote lecture at the opening of the 23rd Joint Seminar on European Integration Processes for Diplomats from Central, Eastern and Southeast Europe.
In her lecture titled “Contemplating Europe’s Future: Regional and Global Role of the EU from Croatia’s Perspective”, Metelko-Zgombić underlined that it was necessary to solidify the EU’s role as a global actor with the capacity and freedom to act. In terms of strengthening the EU’s resilience and strategic autonomy, it is important to maintain strong cooperation with countries in the neighbourhood. In that context, it is crucial to encourage and support the European perspective of all the Western Balkan countries, utilizing the full transformative potential of the accession process, based on the principles of conditionality and individual merit.
The state secretary highlighted the relevance of these topics within the Conference on the Future of Europe, as confirmed by yesterday’s panel discussion with young Croatian and Spanish citizens.
She invited the participants of the seminar to join the debate on the future of Europe and give their own contribution through comments and suggestions on the Digital Platform that is open to all, not just EU citizens.
The seminar is organized by the MFEA Diplomatic Academy and the Hanns Seidel Foundation, and attended by 18 young diplomats from the EU and Southeast Europe.