Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman appeared on the Croatian Radio for talks on the first meeting of the Crimea Platform and other topical foreign policy matters.
The minister said that the meeting was of great importance not only for Croatia as the host, but for the entire democratic world as well.
He described it as impressive in scope and the level of participants. The meeting saw 55 representatives of national parliaments, parliamentary assemblies and international organizations.
“The entire democratic world showed up. The meeting was timely and crucial. The world has never been so committed to multilateralism, to a world based on rules, regulations, international law, unity and respect for human rights. The event was of extreme importance not only for Croatia as the host, but for the entire democratic world as well,” the minister said.
Croatia is recognized through Plenković, government’s policy
The statement by President Zoran Milanović, who said that he would not meet with Nancy Pelosi because who knows where she will be in two weeks’ time, Grlić Radman described as a political gaffe.
“It’s becoming increasingly obvious that Mr. President is alone in his views. The world knows what’s going on and his role in the Crimea Platform is irrelevant. The only thing worth noting are his comments,” he said.
The minister underscored that what is important is Croatia’s foreign policy, the policy of the Croatian government and Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, who pushed for solidarity with Ukraine and visited the country several times.
“Croatia is recognized precisely through Plenković, through our government’s policy, as well as our active contribution and a clear message in terms of condemning Russia’s aggression against Ukraine,” he said.
Grlić Radman also commented on the dispute with the president over ambassadorial appointments, adding that the conference of ambassadors is held each August and involves the president as well.
“Apparently, Mr. President received the ambassadors on the last day of the conference and congratulated them on holding the office for life. Whether in jest or not, this was a message that he does not want to be involved in the appointing process,” the minister said.
Croatia wants institutional framework of cooperation with Serbia
Serbia was invited to the meeting of the Crimea Platform, but declined. Grlić Radman said this was the wrong message to be sent.
“We still don’t know why Serbia is so set in its position of non-alignment, even though this gesture was an alignment of sorts,” the minister said, adding that Belarus and Serbia are the only countries that have not condemned Russia’s aggression.
“We understand why Belarus didn’t do it, but it’s unclear why Serbia didn’t do it, as it’s a Western Balkan country that wishes to join the EU,” he said, adding that Serbia has to pick sides.
Asked whether he was surprized that leader of the Democratic Alliance of Vojvodina Croats Tomislav Žigmanov had joined the new Serbian government, where he will be in charge of human and minority rights, Grlić Radman said this was a good sign and a message in the right direction.
“Žigmanov is recognized in Vojvodina and Serbia as an experienced politician. It’s good that he was elected to the government, even though it wasn’t on the national ticket, but he will be in charge of human and minority rights, which is very good,” the minister commented.
He added that Croatia wanted an institutional framework of cooperation with Serbia based on reciprocity and agreements from 2004, and that this was certainly a good sign and a message in the right direction, an about-turn in Serbia’s policy.
Morinj memorial a gesture we have to respect
Grlić Radman commented on politicizing the memorial plaque erected in Morinj and the announcements about its removal.
“We have to bear in mind that this is a caretaker government that got a vote of no confidence in August, a caretaker prime minister that can no longer change anything. The dismissal of two ministers is also unconstitutional and they announced that they would sue the speaker of Montenegro’s parliament,” he said.
The minister said that the announced removal of the plaque set up at the site of former POW camp in Morinj was a civilizational and cultural issue. He underlined that the fact that the two ministers had erected the plaque was a big deal that testified to the nature of that war, expressing regret and apology.
“These are gestures that we have to respect, and now they’re being politicized,” Grlić Radman concluded.
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