Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman in Luxembourg attended a meeting of the EU foreign affairs ministers. He reflected on the current situation and revealed the details of the meeting.
The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs decided to reduce the number of employees at the Russian Embassy in Zagreb, following a meeting with the Russian ambassador.
Eighteen diplomats and six members of the administrative staff have been asked to leave Croatia.
“In the note expressing our strongest protest over the aggression against Ukraine, we called upon Russia to cease all military activities, withdraw its troops from Ukraine and secure evacuation routes and humanitarian corridors. We have also expelled 24 employees of the Russian Embassy,” Grlić Radman told the press after the meeting.
The main topic on the agenda was the war in Ukraine. “We have condemned the war crimes and confirmed the fifth package of sanctions against Russia. In the morning, we talked with a prosecutor at the International Criminal Court. We agree that all who have committed war crimes should be held responsible,” the minister said.
Croatia received more than 13,000 refugees to date
Croatia has so far received more than 13,000 refugees. “I have been to Poland and saw the importance of targeted assistance,” said Grlić Radman. He also reflected on the Western Balkans.
“I spoke about strengthening the stability and security, with an emphasis on Bosnia and Herzegovina. Without changing the election law, the country cannot be stable,” he said.
At the meeting, the minister underscored that Croatia had always been constructive and willing to compromise. “I pointed out, however, that the onus was on the Bosnian side. There’s no effort, no will to amend the election law,” he said.
The ministers also discussed the Global Gateway, while Grlić Radman spoke about the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine. “I was speaking from Croatia’s experience,” he said.
“War crimes need to be investigated and those responsible punished,” the minister added.
“We have witnessed horrific scenes from Ukraine, which recall Vukovar and Srebrenica,” said Grlić Radman.
He added that the ministers also discussed the importance of the Western Balkans and its stability.
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