As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, who submitted a report to Parliament on Monday regarding European Council meetings over the past six months, reiterated that he expects Croatian Schengen entry to finally take place at some point in 2022.
“I’ve repeatedly said publicly that we expect this to happen during 2022,” said the Prime Minister in response to Pedja Grbin (SDP), who asked if there would be Schengen enlargements and if so, when.
This question also included what the position of other member states was, given the statement of the Slovenian Interior Minister affairs of Ales Hojs, which more or less says that there is doubt as to whether the issue of Croatian Schengen entry will be included in the agenda in the next six months at all.
The Prime Minister referred to the new Schengen strategy announced by the European Commission in early June, which clearly states the Commission’s position that the Schengen area should be completed, “which includes Croatia, Bulgaria and Romania.”
He says that Hojs’ statement is of a “generic character” and notes that no country holding the presidency of the Council will raise a sensitive topic if there is no consensus on it. “We will bring it to the Council when all the elements are mature, we’ll bring it in partnership with the chairman,” Plenković said.
Speaking about the vaccination programme, but also further support to the economy, he said that many businessmen received support, practically only by meeting the minimum Government criteria.
“We want people who come to work to come sure that those around them are also safe, and that is only possible if as many people as possible are vaccinated,” concluded the prime minister.
For more on Croatian Schengen entry, make sure to follow our politics section.