Croatian Prime Minister is in his first visit to Germany.
On Monday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel received with military honours Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković in Berlin, after which they talked at the chancellor’s office, reports Večernji List on December 12, 2016.
Chancellor Merkel said that she did not have to point out that “German-Croatian relations are excellent” and that hundreds of thousands of Croats in Germany form a bridge between the two countries. “Bilateral relations are great”, said Merkel, adding that they had discussed some open issues as well. “I am very pleased that Croatia is more focused on economic issues. This is important and good”, said Merkel.
Merkel said that the two countries advocated same positions about the situation in Ukraine and the refugee wave which had passed through Croatia. She added that she discussed with the Croatian Prime Minister the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and how to support it on its road to the European Union.
Plenković thanked the Chancellor on hospitality and said they had “good and substantial” talks. He also said that the ties between Germany and Croatia were excellent and friendly, and that Germany was one of the key trade and economic partners. “Particularly important is the common assessment that it is necessary to support the countries of South East Europe. Croatia is ready to help Bosnia and Herzegovina with its experience and its position in Europe and NATO”, said Plenković and added that this visit had rounded off the activities for this year.
They also talked about refugees and Prime Minister Plenković said that Croatia had earlier decided to accept a certain number of migrants and that it had not changed its position. “We believe that the solution to the migration crisis should be a comprehensive European solution, particularly with the protection of external European borders”, said Plenković.
Prime Minister Plenković also spoke about Serbia’s path towards the European Union. “The position of me personally and the government is clear. Like all countries that are moving towards the EU, Serbia also must meet all the criteria. I wish that the term of my government is the one when we will close a number of issues stemming from Greater Serbian aggression on Croatia from the time of Serbian President Milošević”, said Plenković. He also added that there were issues of missing persons and of the protection of minorities and how to prosecute war crimes.
Merkel said they advocated helping Bosnia and Herzegovina and added that they will continue to do that step by step. “I support the intentions of Prime Minister Plenković. As for Serbia, we believe that bilateral issues should be discussed at a bilateral level. Wherever Germany can provide its support, we will do so”, concluded Merkel.
