ZAGREB, January 23, 2020 - The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has expressed its agreement with the priorities of the new Croatian presidency of the Council of the EU and has said they strongly resonate with the Committee's own agenda to promote a robust and prosperous Europe based on common values.
The priorities of Croatia's EU presidency, the first since it joined the Union in 2013, were presented to the EESC by the country's Minister for Foreign and European Affairs, Gordan Grlić Radman at the EESC plenary session on 22 January, the EESC said in a statement on Thursday.
The priorities that the Croatian presidency intends to move forward during its term coincide with those promoted by the EESC, particularly where they relate to sustainability, EESC president Luca Jahier said.
"We welcome Croatia's emphasis on a Europe that develops by ensuring better conditions and prospects for all European citizens, through balanced and sustainable growth. We are convinced that the sustainable development agenda must be the EU's top priority for the next decade, because it perfectly balances economic prosperity, environmental issues and social inclusiveness," Jahier said.
The other three priorities of the Croatian presidency are: A Europe that protects, a Europe that connects and an influential Europe.
"We can only subscribe to these priorities," Jahier said, adding that the Croatian debut on the European stage came at a significant time for the future of the EU, coinciding with the beginning of the EU's new institutional cycle and the very final stage of Brexit.
Europe is faced with many other pressing troubles such as the adverse effects of climate change, populism or the widening of economic and social inequalities between member states, threatening to shake the very foundations of the European project, the statement said.
"Hardly any other country has taken over the presidency, faced with so many challenges. I can assure you that the EESC is eager to contribute and support the work of the Croatian presidency," Jahier said.
More news about Croatia and the EU can be found in the Politics section.
