Croatian premier, EU Council head discuss security, enlargement, budget priorities

SARAJEVO

Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic on Tuesday met with European Council President Antonio Costa in Zagreb, where the two leaders discussed global security, EU enlargement, and preparations for the bloc’s next long-term budget.

Welcoming Costa at the start of his “Tour de Capitals” consultations ahead of the next European Council summit, Plenkovic highlighted the importance of discreet but strategic talks on current challenges, including the Russian war in Ukraine, conflicts in the Middle East and Africa, migration, and terrorism.

The leaders also addressed negotiations on the EU’s 2028-2034 multiannual financial framework, which Plenkovic said must link present and future political priorities with realistic financing.

He emphasized the need for strong funding in defense, environmental policy, and other key areas.

Plenkovic said enlargement remains central for South-East Europe, stressing Croatia’s support for a fair and dynamic process based on individual criteria for candidate countries.

He added that new EU institutional leadership must build on recent policy reports and strengthen the bloc’s overall functionality.

European Council President Costa described enlargement as “by far the most important geopolitical investment we can make for our own security,” stressing the EU’s ongoing efforts to integrate Ukraine, Moldova, and Western Balkan countries.

“It is a very demanding process, but we need to focus and prioritize on this and continue to work with all these countries to ensure that, in fact, in this institutional cycle, we achieve with success this process,” he said.

Demographic revitalization was another theme Plenkovic said Croatia wants to keep high on the EU agenda, calling it a horizontal challenge across member states.

“Europe is ageing, and we should work together to introduce measures that will strengthen families and reverse this negative trend,” he said.

He underlined that such visits help raise awareness of major EU issues among the Croatian public.

Croatia, which joined the EU 12 years ago, has since adopted the euro and entered the Schengen area, and is now finalizing its accession to the OECD.

Plenkovic said Croatia looks forward to completing this process by mid-2026, which would mark the country’s full integration into international institutions.