ZAGREB, 14 Dec 2021 - Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić Radman said on Monday he doubted the EU would reach a consensus on imposing sanctions against Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik, as advocated by German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock.

"Croatia advocates dialogue. It's in our interest to insist on dialogue, to convince all leaders that it's necessary to view and experience Bosnia and Herzegovina as a sovereign and integral country, and that there's no room for any separatism," Grlić Radman said.

Baerbock today took part in a Foreign Affairs Council meeting for the first time in her term and said the efforts to break up BiH were unacceptable and that she lobbied for the existing regime of sanctions to be used against Dodik.

"No one insisted on sanctions in a majority format in the sense that all countries agreed. It was more of a testing of member states' opinions and mood," sad Grlić Radman.

He said he and Baerbock met on the fringes of the meeting for talks on the Croatian-German relations and the Western Balkans.

For more, check out our dedicated politics section.

ZAGREB, 4 Dec, 2021 - Croatia's Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Gordan Grlić Radman, visited the Church of Saint Jerome and the Pontifical Croatian College of Saint Jerome and several other religious sites in Rome on Saturday, the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs said in a press release.

In the Pontifical Croatian College of Saint Jerome, Grlić Radman met with Rector Marko Đurin, who informed him about the work of that institution and its importance for the Croatian people and pilgrims.

The history of the Church of Saint Jerome dates back to 1453 when Pope Nicholas V gave it to the Fraternity of Saint Jerome. The present building was built in 1589 by Pope Sixtus V, a descendent of a Dalmatian family.

Since its foundation at the beginning of the 20th century, the College has schooled Croat priests from Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Srijem region of Serbia, Timișoara in Romania, and Bar and Kotor in Montenegro.

Grlić Radman also visited the the Pontifical University of Saint Anthony and the Church of San Paolo alla Regola, where he was welcomed by Rector Calogero Favata. Together they visited the Chapel of Schola Sancti which houses a plaque showing that it was the titular church of the Blessed Alojzije Stepinac, who never collected it because he was imprisoned after the Second World War.  

The Croatian foreign minister also visited the Basilica of Saint Mary the Great, which is home to a memorial plaque written in the Croatian language and Glagolitic alphabet as testimony to the visit by the holy brothers Cyril and Methodius to Pope Hadrian II in 868. 

For more on lifestyle, folow TCN's dedicated page.

For more about Croatia, CLICK HERE.

ZAGREB, 20 Nov, 2021 - Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić Radman said during a visit to Canada on Saturday that there were many methods of threatening the world order and global security, which, he said, could be based only on multilateralism, tolerance and respect.

The biggest threats are dictatorships, asymmetric threats, hybrid threats, lack of cyber security and cyber attacks, Grlić Radman said in Halifax, where he was attending the International Security Forum.

He identified as threats countries "which are counting on the establishment of a new order or geopolitical repositioning and which have a negative agenda in terms of action and manage migrations negatively."

The International Security Forum in Halifax discussed current global security issues. The Forum is dedicated to strengthening strategic cooperation between democratic countries and it brought together a large number of state and military officials, business people and think-tanks.

It was organised as six thematic plenary discussions focusing on current global political issues, primarily COVID-19, climate change, globalisation, China's ascent, new security architecture and asymmetric threats.

Grlić Radman attended the panel dedicated to China, and in that context said that the EU has to assert itself. "We cannot just condemn China's presence if we have not shown sufficient strength in terms of what we have to offer and stronger presence," he said, mentioning in that context the COVID-19 pandemic and China's being the first to start supplying face masks.

He said that China's economic influence was strong in the Western Balkans, a region that had been neglected lately.

As a Western Balkans neighbour, Croatia definitely feels China's strong presence and influence there and can speak about it. The knowledge of the nature of China's influence in the Western Balkans and in other parts of the world is possibly not sufficient, he said.

He warned in that context about the need for greater involvement of both NATO and the EU in the Western Balkans, where, he said, the situation had become destabilising.

On the margins of the Halifax International Security Forum, the Croatian minister met, among others, the international community's High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Christian Schmidt.

For more on politics, follow TCN's dedicated page.

For more about Croatia, CLICK HERE.

ZAGREB, 20 Nov, 2021 - Croatia is strongly committed to the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda both regionally and globally, Foreign and European Affairs Minister Gordan Grlić Radman said on Friday on the margins on an international security conference in Halifax on Friday.

The Croatian minister is taking part in the Halifax security forum which discussed among other things the Women, Peace and Security ("WPS") agenda, which was formally initiated by the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000), adopted on 31 October 2000.

Croatia is aware of a huge burden carried by women during conflicts and also of women's crucial role in putting an end on wars, and in peace-building and post-conflict management, Grlić Radman said underscoring Croatia's strong commitment to the implementation of the above-mentioned agenda both at the local level and globally.

Over the recent years, Croatia has hosted and financed a series of workshops and training courses for police officers from third countries and thus helped in the preparation of more than 50 women from Africa, Asia, South America and Europe for their participation in UN peace missions.

4 in 10 employees in Croatia's intelligence services are women 

The minister underscored that 40% of the staff employed in Croatia's intelligence services are women.  Also, women make up 13% of active service-people in the army, and 50% of state officials and staff are women.

Croatia's female military officers are engaged in peace missions and operations worldwide.

Over 400 Croatian women have participated in those missions since 2003 when the first service-women joined the first Croatian contingent in the ISAF mission in Afghanistan. 

The Croatian minister  is attending the 2021 Halifax Forum, which is being held from 19 to 21 of November with six plenary discussion on COVID-19, climate change, globalisation, China, a new security architecture and asymmetric threats.

For more on politics, follow TCN's dedicated page.

For more about Croatia, CLICK HERE.

ZAGREB, 3 Oct, 2021 - Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić Radman and his Montenegrin counterpart Đorđe Radulović laid wreaths in the Montenegrin coastal town of Morinj on Sunday to commemorate several thousand Croatian nationals, mostly residents of Dubrovnik and nearby communities, who had been held as prisoners of war there 30 years ago.

"We are here today, for the first time in thirty years, to commemorate the sad day when the so-called centre for the reception of prisoners of war was opened here and became a place of torture for innocent people and civilians. The presence of the Montenegrin Minister of Foreign Affairs, Đorđe Radulović, confirms our desire to commemorate that event together by laying wreathes and lighting candles. Some of the people have been convicted for that, mostly guards, but to this day we do not know who gave orders, and they, too, should be prosecuted," Grlić Radman said.

He said that a swimming pool in Kotor was named after Zoran Džimi Gopčević, one of the guard commanders. "We protested against that. The fact that Minister Radulović is here today confirms and proves that that was a rash decision by the local authorities in Kotor which the central government probably could not influence."

"This today is the actual admission that war crimes were committed here. Today we pay tribute to all victims together. This is a big day because the representatives of the states of Croatia and Montenegro have come here together for the first time," Grlić Radman told Hina.

He said he wanted to do a similar thing in Serbia where many Croats had been imprisoned, tortured and killed during Croatia's 1991-1995 Homeland War.

"I spoke with Minister Radulović about installing a memorial plaque here in Morinj. This commemoration was organised by the Croatian National Council (HNV), who are loyal citizens of Montenegro and who cherish their Croatian tradition, culture and language with the support of the Croatian government," Grlić Radman said.

Radulović said that his presence in Morinj showed "the spirit of a new Montenegro, of those who did not take part in the war, but who respect the victims of all wars in the region. That's the spirit of the new Montenegro, which seeks reconciliation of our fathers for the sake of the future of our children. The spirit of a Montenegro that does not dream about its past but about its European future. The spirit of Montenegro living in peace with everyone. Today patriotism is shown by respecting those who think like you, but even more by respecting those who think differently and by respecting your neighbours and friends. Morinj is a reminder that we should never forget that."

 HNV president Zvonimir Deković said: "Today it is a great encouragement to mark this anniversary in the presence of two ministers of foreign affairs and all those who send the message that a true example of heroism is to know how to protect another from yourself." He called for a minute of silence to honour the prisoners of war from Dubrovnik who had died in the Morinj camp and others who had died in the last 30 years.

The Morinj camp operated from 3 October 1991 until 18 August 1992 as a detention centre for POWs from Croatia. A total of 292 people from the Dubrovnik region were held there and 169 of them were subjected to inhumane treatment. It was only in 2013 that the first court judgment was delivered, sentencing four defendants to a total of 12 years in prison for torturing and violating the physical integrity and personal dignity of the prisoners.

For more about Croatia, CLICK HERE.

ZAGREB, 29 Sept, 2021 - The cancellation of visa requirements for Croatian nationals travelling to the United States is "a new recognition" 30 years after the recognition of Croatia, and a law on avoiding double taxation is expected to be signed now, Foreign and European Affairs Minister Gordan Grlić Radman said on Tuesday.

Thirty years after the recognition of the Republic of Croatia this is "a new recognition", the minister said commenting on the announcement by the US Department of Homeland Security about Croatia joining the Visa Waiver Program.

Exactly a year has passed since the end of the fiscal year in the United States and that was the deadline for Croatia to submit a sufficient number of qualified applications, which means the visa refusal rate had to be below three percent, he recalled.

That qualified Croatia for the cancellation of visa requirements in addition to some other minor conditions, such as security in air traffic, he said.

The next step that both countries are expecting soon is signing an agreement on avoiding double taxation, which will facilitate business communication.

For more about politics in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

ZAGREB, 29 Sept, 2021 - The Bosniak minority is "a precious value" to Croatia, Foreign and European Affairs Minister Gordan Grlić Radman said in Zagreb on Tuesday at an event marking the 28th Day of Bosniaks in Croatia and wished the community to successfully preserve its identity.

In a multiethnic nation, it is good when everyone feels comfortable and respects each other, the minister said. The Bosniak minority is well-integrated, it is a "precious value" to Croatia, he said.

Following statements by previous speakers that "loyalty" was not an expression that reflected the emotional attitude of Bosniaks because "they love Croatia", he recalled their contribution to the Homeland War.

About 25,000 Bosniaks took part in the Homeland War, and 1,187 laid down their lives for Croatia.

Grlić Radman also talked about Bosnia and Herzegovina, whose territorial integrity Zagreb strongly supports.

"No one has it in their interest for Bosnia and Herzegovina to be a stable and functioning state as much as the Republic of Croatia," he said.

He said that Croatia had achieved its goals of integration with NATO and the European Union and that it wanted the same path for Bosnia and Herzegovina.

He also commented on the dissatisfaction with the violation of equality and constituency of Bosnian Croats.

"Reforms from 2000 onwards and changes to the election law mainly through interventions by the High Representative have enabled Bosniaks to outvote Croats, who don't have a legitimate representative in the three-member presidency. We should strive for changes in the election law that will enable equality and constituency and eliminate any forms of discrimination," he said.

He expressed hope that leaders in Bosnia and Herzegovina would find a solution, and the new High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina Christian Schmidt would first and foremost talk and listen, and not impose solutions.

Grlić Radman wished the Bosniaks in Croatia to be successful in preserving their cultural Bosniak identity.

The Day of Bosniaks is observed in memory of the first meeting of the Bosniak Assembly, held on 27 and 27 September 1993, at which Muslims changed their name to Bosniaks and the name Bosnian language was advocated.

For more about politics in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

ZAGREB, 22 Sept, 2021 - Afghanistan has come a long way in the past 20 years, making progress with the support of the international community, and now it's key that these accomplishments are maintained, notably regarding the rights of women and girls, Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić Radman said in New York on Tuesday.

He was speaking in a ministerial meeting on Afghanistan as part of the 76th UN General Assembly. The meeting focused on maintaining the achievements of the international engagement in the country over the past 20 years, with emphasis on encouraging the prospects of women and girls and ensuring their access to education.

I believe we all agree that Afghanistan needs our constant commitment and assistance as well as support in recovery, Grlić Radman said, calling on the new government in Afghanistan to ensure respect for fundamental human rights, includes the rights of women and girls.

Croatia carried out in Afghanistan more than 70 development and humanitarian projects in education, healthcare and ensuring business opportunities for women. Most of the projects were aimed at strengthening the social status of women. The presence of Croatian women diplomats contributed to better understanding the needs of Afghan women and to bigger efficiency in project implementation, the minister said.

Together with its partners and allies, Croatia will continue to encourage Afghanistan to honour the international commitments undertaken by previous governments, which should lead to renewed international community commitment and support to the Afghan people in using the chance for a better future, he added.

For more about politics in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

ZAGREB, 8 Sept, 2021 - Croatia's Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Gordan Grlić Radman, on Wednesday discussed the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina with the leader of the HDZ BiH party, Dragan Čović, and the vice-chair of the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, Željana Zovko, the ministry said in a statement.

The meeting focused on the reform of Bosnia and Herzegovina's electoral legislation "to ensure the quality and legitimate political representation of the Croats", the steps that need to be taken by Bosnia and Herzegovina on its path towards European Union membership and how Croatia can help it in that regard.

Čović spoke of the current political situation and ethnic relations in his country and challenges to the achievement of legitimate rights for the Croats, while Zovko presented the European Parliament's activities concerning Bosnia and Herzegovina and the rest of southeast Europe.

Grlić Radman reiterated that Bosnia and Herzegovina has the support of Croatia and his ministry in political demands for the legitimate representation of the Croats "so that Bosnia and Herzegovina would be functioning, stable and prosperous and would achieve its Euroatlantic ambitions more easily."

They all agreed that amendments to the election law would contribute to the stability and functioning of Bosnia and Herzegovina and increase trust between the three constituent peoples and all other citizens in the country, the statement said.

For more about politics in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

ZAGREB, 25 Aug, 2021 - Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić Radman said in Budapest on Wednesday that Croatia would fight illegal migrations and that a difference needed to be made between Afghan nationals who had been helping EU services and Afghan refugees who were the responsibility of the international community.

"People who had been helping (us) within the European External Action Service (EEAS) and our soldiers in NATO, to whom we have a certain obligation, are one thing, and another thing are refugees who are burdening the entire international community," Galić Radman said after meeting his Hungarian counterpart Peter Szijjarto.

The two ministers talked, among other things, about the crisis in Afghanistan and migrations.

"We want to see refugees get relocated to Afghanistan's neighbouring countries where their human rights and safety will be secured," Grlić Radman said.

"Croatia will most definitely fight illegal migrations. We do not want 2015 to happen again," the Croatian Minister said.

The EEAS has called on EU members to take in EU staff from Afghanistan, namely approximately 500 locals, mostly interpreters, Logistics providers and their families. Croatia will accept 20 people. Hungary, for now, will not accept anyone.

Hungarians vacationing in Croatia

"The COVID-19 pandemic did not have a negative impact on our (bilateral) economic relations either, the proof of which is a stable trend in economic trade, and tourism has been very good this year as well, despite numerous restrictions," Grlić Radman said.

He expressed satisfaction with the fact that "Hungary, as always, has recognised Croatia as a safe vacation destination," saying that more Hungarian holiday-makers visited Croatia in the first seven months of 2021 than in the entire 2020.

The talks also focused stepping up economic and cross-border cooperation and Grlić Radman  thanked Hungary on the assistance it provided after the devastating earthquakes in Croatia in late 2020.

Later today, the Croatian minister is scheduled to take part in a conference of Hungarian ambassadors.

For more about politics in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.