Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman on Monday met with his Belgian counterpart Hadja Lahbib.
The two ministers underscored satisfaction with the intensification of Croatia-Belgium dialogue, emphasizing the importance of maintaining contacts on all levels. In light of the current situation and multiple challenges, they underlined the importance of strengthening bilateral relations in order to make progress in finding solutions at the EU level. In that context, they discussed the war in Ukraine and its consequences as well as cooperation within NATO.
Given that Belgium will preside over the Council of the EU in the first half of 2024, Grlić Radman and Lahbib exchanged views on the Schengen Area, illegal migration, the situation in the Western Balkans, boosting the region’s strategic resilience, and the future of the enlargement process.
The two ministers also discussed the future of the EU and institutional reforms, with Grlić Radman stressing the importance of unity in decision-making to ensure solidarity and commitment of the member states. In addition, they highlighted the importance of strengthening energy efficiency and investing in renewable energy sources. The ministers concluded that the competitiveness, resilience and strategic autonomy of the EU as well as increased efforts in the decarbonisation process should remain in the focus of talks, including the European Council meeting in June.
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