This week, we welcome Andrej Plenković, Prime Minister of Croatia, a Balkan country which joined the European Union in 2013. Member of the right-wing HDZ party which sits within the European People’s Party in Europe, he discusses a potential enlargement of the EU to other Western Balkan countries as well as on the role of the Twenty-Seven in the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.
In Moldovathe “yes” narrowly won in the referendum on the inclusion in the constitution of the country’s objective of joining the EU. Outgoing President Maia Sandu will face her opponent supported by pro-Russian socialists in the presidential election on November 3. “This is a divided and polarized nation where there have undoubtedly been many influences in the debate», explains Andrej Plenković. He supports Maia Sandu and denounces “the war of disinformation” coming from Russia: “It is present and we must fight for the truth and for the facts», he adds.
There Serbia is a potentially problematic candidate for EU membership because it has not cut its ties with Russia: “All countries in the region must meet the criteria» and “align» as best as possible with Union policy. “If Serbia is truly determined to join the European Union, it must show it in all areas, including foreign and security policy.», criticizes the Croatian Prime Minister.
The EU wants to toughen its migration policy by sending migrants to third “return” countries. For example, Italy has just opened two detention centers in Albania. “We are a little reserved», he explains about this method of subcontracting. “At the moment we see a lot of legal and operational difficulties. We are waiting to see what the real consequences will be“. He also denounces “ a policy of militarization of illegal migrants pushed towards the eastern border », sent by Russia and Belarus to put pressure on Donald Tusk’s Poland.
The subject of migration will be at the heart of the debate with the establishment of a new portfolio of Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dubravka Šuica, a Croatian named by Mr. Plenkovic: “I am sure that she will focus on all EU policies relating to the countries of North Africa and the Mediterranean, including migration policy, humanitarian crises, transport policies, development and economic cooperation policies“.
Regarding the role of the Union in the resolution of the conflict in the Middle Eastthe Prime Minister affirms that the subject is at the center of concerns: “This is one of the issues on which we debate at almost every European Council, at almost every meeting of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.“, he defends himself. “All EU countries must send humanitarian aid during crisis situations where the population is in difficulty», assures Andrej Plenkovic.
A few weeks before the result of the American presidential election which could see Donald Trump elected, Andrej Plenkovic admits in the past “difficult cohabitation» on certain subjects with the Trump administration. However, he remains measured and wishes for continuity in bilateral relations: “We must put at the forefront what binds us. It’s stronger than the things that separate us», he concludes.