ZAGREB, August 8, 2018 - Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović said in a live interview with Britain's ITV on Tuesday that she wanted the United Kingdom and EU to retain the best possible relations after the break up.
Grabar-Kitarović spoke live with the Good Morning Britain show and discussed Brexit and relations between Zagreb and London. She said that she was for a soft Brexit.
During the interview, host Kate Garraway explained that Andrej Plenković, who takes part in the Brexit negations on behalf of Croatia as prime minister, believes there should be something that "suits the interests of Ireland."
Grabar-Kitarović responded by saying, "I too am for a soft Brexit – I would like us to remain as close as possible." I think a soft border between the United Kingdom and Ireland would do a lot to help leave behind some unresolved issues from the past, Grabar-Kitarović said.
The president said that she was sad to see the UK leaving the EU and added that she hoped that one day the UK would rejoin the Union. "But we respect your decision. No break up situation in life is easy as we know from personal relationships so this one won’t be easy either," she said and added that she hoped Brexit would not be the end for the UK and the EU.
"Looking into the future we are sort of hoping secretly you will come back again," she commented.
She reiterated that Croatia wants to have strong relations with Britain even after Brexit. She recalled that she had spoken to Prime Minister Theresa May during her visit to London in 2016 about the ways for how to bring the two countries closer together after Brexit.
She added that during her talks with Her Majesty the Queen, who cannot talk about political issues, they did nevertheless speak about the friendship between the people.
