ZAGREB, February 5, 2018 - Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković will address the European Parliament on Tuesday, speaking about Croatia's vision of Europe's future and its experience on the journey to European Union membership, his office announced on Monday.
After the address, Plenković will talk about Europe's future and Croatia's experience with members of the EP. He will also meet with EP President Antonio Tajani, Council of Europe Secretary-General Thorbjorn Jagland and the president of the European People's Party (EPP) group in the EP, Manfred Weber, and attend a meeting of EPP MEPs.
In his address, Plenković will speak about Croatia's successful journey from a war-affected country to European Union member state, highlight the EU's character as a peace project aimed at reconciliation and good neighbourly relations, and speak about the reforms the Croatian government is undertaking so its citizens can live better, his office said. He will also speak of the challenges facing the EU such as demography, security and populism.
Plenković will say that Croatia wants to be in the closest integration circle in the EU, including the euro area and Schengen, and participate in common defence initiatives, his office said.
As for the EU financial framework to be discussed in the months ahead, Croatia's priority is emphasis on growth, cohesion, security, research and development, financial sustainability, the EU's role as a global stakeholder, economic issues and environmental protection.
Plenković will also say that Croatia continues to support EU enlargement, notably to Southeast Europe, and that Bosnia and Herzegovina's journey to the EU calls for finding equitable election legislation.
He will also talk about Croatia's EU presidency in 2020, saying that emphasis will be on growth, development and enlargement as an area in which Croatia has the vastest knowledge and experience in the EU.
