Latest news with #Plenković
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Leaders of Greece, Croatia and Montenegro attend summit in Odesa
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and Montenegrin President Jakov Milatović are in Odesa for the Ukraine–Southeast Europe Summit. Source: European Pravda, with reference to official announcements published on the websites of the three governments Details: The Greek government's website states that Mitsotakis "is travelling to Odesa to take part in the 4th Ukraine–Southeast Europe Summit", which is being held on 11 June. The Croatian government's press service reported that Plenković had arrived in Ukraine to attend the summit, though it did not specify the location. The previous summit was held in Dubrovnik, Croatia. It was noted that this is Plenković's fourth visit to Ukraine since the start of the full-scale war. Croatia has provided Ukraine with various forms of assistance worth approximately €315 million and has granted temporary protection to 30,000 Ukrainians. The website of the president of Montenegro also confirmed that Milatović was invited to the summit and that it is taking place in Odesa. Among other guests attending the summit are Romania's new president, Nicușor Dan, and Serbia's pro-Russian president, Aleksandar Vučić, who is making his first visit to Ukraine. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Euronews
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
'US should stay committed to Europe,' Croatia's PM Andrej Plenković says
ADVERTISEMENT The support emanating from the White House toward its allies has been increasingly unpredictable since the start of the second Trump administration. This shift has prompted many European leaders to question the strength of the US' commitment to transatlantic solidarity. In an exclusive interview with Euronews, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković underscored the importance of sustained US engagement in European affairs and institutions such as NATO. "I think that the United States should stay committed to Europe, to the transatlantic partnership in being a factor of stability and peace on our continent," Plenković said. "And of course, to underscore the importance of NATO, because NATO has been a guarantor of collective security, for 75 years and I believe it should continue to be so." Despite concerns about wavering US policy, Plenković expressed confidence in NATO's current trajectory. He pointed to increased defence spending across the alliance, including Croatia's own investments. Not only the US military equipment When asked about NATO's stability, Plenković believed it was on the right path as many countries have fulfilled the pledge of defence spending, like Croatia, which is investing 2.1% of its GDP and 30% of modernisation, and it desires to invest even more in defence equipment. Croatia has notably broadened its procurement strategy to include both American and European military technologies, aiming to enhance interoperability and long-term resilience. "We are also working very much on the procuring European defence equipment, not only the American equipment, but we've been in the process from eastern to western military technologies and we have so far increased our budget for defence more than three times," Plenković explained. "The idea is to multiply it even more in the years to come and I think that the new white paper on defence, new instruments that the European Union has been preparing are strengthening our strategic autonomy and our capabilities and interoperability within the European Union," he added. Croatia recently completed its squadron of 12 French Rafale fighter jets, bolstering its air defence capacity. The Adriatic country has also provided €300 million in military assistance to Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion of its neighbour in early 2022 — a move Plenković says was done both in defence of Ukraine and as part of a broader stand for European freedom. No objective to endanger anyone In a recent regional development, Croatia, Albania and Kosovo signed a defence agreement aimed at boosting military capacity, advancing technology, and improving interoperability through joint training. "This agreement has no objective to endanger anyone. Neither did we feel threatened by anybody else, so this narrative that was echoed after this agreement was signed was, in our view, false and unnecessary," Plenković said. The trilateral deal, however, has sparked criticism from Serbia, which does not recognise Kosovo's independence. Serbian officials accused Albania and Croatia—both NATO members—of fueling an "arms race" in the Balkans. This comes as Serbia and Hungary have signed a deal of their own to strengthen military cooperation. Plenković does not see this as "any type of threat to Croatia." Enlargement versus foreign influence Plenković emphasised the necessity of respecting national borders and legal norms within Europe, citing the EU integration process as a vital unifier for the continent. "European path is the glue for functioning of all the countries in the right direction and also for the reforms and the benefits for the citizens." He further highlighted trust and dialogue as essential to maintaining European stability. "This is in our view, essential and to have a sincere dialogue and build trust. Without building trust and continuous dialogue, there is always a chance for destabilisation."
Euronews
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Croatia is pushing for Bosnia's EU membership, PM Plenković tells Euronews
ADVERTISEMENT In an exclusive interview with Euronews, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković voiced strong support for Bosnia and Herzegovina's accession to the European Union, while also expressing concern over ongoing political instability in the region. Plenković emphasised that EU enlargement should be a strategic priority, particularly in the Western Balkans. Highlighting Bosnia's importance, he said: "We as Croatia would very much like to see that Bosnia and Herzegovina as our immediate neighbour, a country where Croats are constituent and people with equal rights with Bosniaks and Serbs should towards the dynamics that other countries of the region have and we want to help them." Bosnia has long aspired to join the European Union, but progress has been hindered by internal divisions between the three main ethnic groups — Bosniaks, Serbs and Croats — and a complex political structure created by the 1995 Dayton Agreement, which ended the Bosnian War. The country is divided into two entities or main administrative units: the Bosniak-Croat majority Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) and the Serb-dominated Republika Srpska (RS) with an umbrella state-level government in Sarajevo. This, and further administrative divisions, have created a system often described as the world's most complex democracy, which remains heavily reliant on consensus by all three main ethnic groups. Plenković expressed particular concern about secessionist rhetoric and actions coming from the RS, led by nationalist Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik. "We would very much like that Bosnia and Herzegovina shifts from potential instability. And these tendencies of secession when it comes to the Republika Srpska to a more harmonious and functional situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina where the EU path and reforms which are beneficial to citizens both in economic and social terms are implemented," Plenković explained. He warned that delays in EU integration could allow other global powers to expand their influence in the region. "The more slower the process is, the more influence of other global actors in the region we have, whether it's Russia, whether it is China, whether is some other countries," Plenković explained. "And therefore we are advocating a structured and dynamic process." Plenković wants the issue of Bosnia's EU membership — and the broader future of the Western Balkans — to be on the agenda of the June European Council meeting.
Al-Ahram Weekly
18-02-2025
- Business
- Al-Ahram Weekly
PM Madbouly, Croatian counterpart mark new chapter in Egypt-Croatia relations - Economy
Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly stated Tuesday that the visit of his Croatian counterpart, Andrej Plenković, marks a new chapter in bilateral relations, describing Croatia as 'a strategic ally for Egypt' within the European Union. Speaking at a joint press conference in Egypt's New Administrative Capital (NAC) following discussions between their respective delegations, the two top diplomats addressed various mutual interests, including economic cooperation, trade expansion, and investment opportunities. During his speech, PM Madbouly highlighted the strengthening economic ties between Egypt and Croatia, particularly in the energy sector. Egypt's Petrojet is collaborating with Croatian and Greek firms to construct offshore platforms in the Adriatic Sea, while Croatia's INA is involved in several oil and gas concessions in Egypt, Madbouly said. Infrastructure development and construction were key topics during Croatian Prime Minister Plenković's third visit to Egypt. Madbouly emphasized Egypt's extensive experience in large-scale projects extending beyond national borders and explored opportunities to enhance collaboration with Croatia, particularly by leveraging the expertise of Egyptian construction companies. Strategic partnership For his part, Plenković reiterated Croatia's ongoing support for Egypt's strategic partnership with the EU and highlighted his country's commitment to fostering business partnerships with Cairo. "We are here in Egypt to build partnerships across various business sectors. Egypt is a large market, and that is our primary objective for this visit," the Croatian prime minister said during the press conference. U Kairu sam s predsjednikom Vlade Egipta Mostafom Madboulyjem razgovarao o sigurnosnoj situaciji u Europi i na Bliskom istoku te naglasio kako se 🇪🇺 zalaže za postizanje pravednog mira u #Ukraine. Razgovarali smo i o jačanju suradnje 🇭🇷🇪🇬, posebno u području energetike, turizma i… — Andrej Plenković (@AndrejPlenkovic) February 18, 2025 Plenković emphasized Croatia's interest in enhancing tourism cooperation, recognizing Egypt and Croatia as prominent Mediterranean tourist destinations. Both officials agreed to support the launch of direct flights between Egyptian and Croatian cities soon. Moreover, Plenković also mentioned Croatia's aim to attract skilled Egyptian workers, praising their strong reputation in the Croatian labour market and suggesting establishing a structured framework for labour cooperation through a bilateral agreement. Economic and trade relations The press conference followed extensive discussions between the Egyptian and Croatian prime ministers, focusing on enhancing economic and trade relations. Madbouly emphasized the need to boost trade volumes to align with both countries' expectations. Currently, 33 Croatian companies operate in Egypt, with total investments estimated at $20 million. However, bilateral trade declined from $212 million in 2022 to approximately $160 million in 2023. To address this decline, Madbouly underscored the goal of surpassing $1 billion in bilateral trade by diversifying the trade mix, focusing on high-value-added goods, and ensuring a balanced trade relationship. Madbouly noted that Egypt is exploring establishing a Ro-Ro maritime transport line with Croatia to enhance trade logistics, similar to the existing link between Egypt and Italy. This initiative would improve Egyptian exports' access to European markets through Croatian ports, which Egypt considers 'a vital southern gateway to the EU.' MoUs and business forum As part of their commitment to strengthening economic ties, the two prime ministers witnessed the signing of several memorandums of understanding to enhance cooperation in investment, maritime transport, and cultural exchange. Egypt's NAC also hosted the Egyptian-Croatian Business Forum on Tuesday. Luka Burilović, president of the Croatian Chamber of Commerce, highlighted Egypt as Croatia's "most important trading partner in Africa" and expressed confidence in strengthening commercial ties in the future. U sklopu službenog posjeta Egiptu, zajedno s predstavnicima 🇭🇷 poslovnog sektora @hgk, sudjelovao sam na Poslovnom forumu 🇭🇷🇪🇬, koji je važan korak u pozicioniraju hrvatskih tvrtki na egipatskom tržištu. U 2023. hrvatski izvoz u Egipat iznosio je 98,4 mln USD, a već u prvih… — Andrej Plenković (@AndrejPlenkovic) February 18, 2025 The two prime ministers also discussed geopolitical developments in the Middle East, focusing on Gaza and broader regional stability. Short link:
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Croatia prepares new military-technical aid package for Ukraine
Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković has announced the preparation of a new military-technical aid package. Source: Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal on Telegram, as reported by European Pravda Details: Shmyhal and Plenković met on Wednesday, 29 January, to discuss ways to accelerate peace and hold Russia accountable. Quote from Shmyhal: "During our meeting, Mr Plenković announced the preparation of a new military-technical aid package, which is set to be approved tomorrow [Thursday, 30 January – ed.]." Details: Shmyhal also said they agreed to explore the possibility of creating a joint Ukrainian-Croatian working group to monitor the illegal activities of Russia's shadow fleet. Quote from Shmyhal: "We will work to ensure that Russia is held accountable for its aggression. Croatia already supports the work of the International Register of Damage and our efforts to have all frozen Russian assets fully confiscated and directed towards strengthening our resilience, defence capabilities, and recovery." Background: In December 2024, Croatia's President Zoran Milanović promised to block the deployment of Croatian troops to Ukraine as long as he remains in office. Earlier in autumn 2024, Milanović refused to approve Croatian troops participation in NATO's NSATU initiative to support Ukraine, arguing that it "could potentially harm national interests". Support UP or become our patron!
