ZAGREB, October 2, 2018 – Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said on Monday that the meeting about the Western Balkan countries in Geneva would be an opportunity for talks about the consequences of the referendum in Macedonia, the security situation, negotiations between Serbia and Kosovo and a chance to analyse the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina ahead of the elections scheduled to take place next weekend.
“We want to talk at the highest level about the consequences of Sunday’s referendum in Macedonia, the negotiations between Serbia and Kosovo, and we want to analyse the situation in Bosnia ahead of the general election this weekend. There are many political and security challenges which is why it is important that we are always present at this type of a meeting at the highest level,” Plenković said.
The World Economy Forum is organising the “Strategic Dialogue Western Balkans” conference in Geneva which will bring together heads of state and government as well as ministers from Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Germany, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Slovenia, Switzerland and Turkey.
The Western Balkans are becoming increasingly important geopolitically in Europe. While there is growing momentum for greater integration, the region is still suffering from high unemployment, political fractures and growing influence from external actors. The status quo in the Western Balkan region is not sustainable.
The aim of this working session is to advance private public partnerships to advance investment in the region. Specific topics of discussion include: further strengthening growth and investment and developing inter regional trade, developing a future oriented digital ecosystem, as well as supporting next generation leadership.
Plenković said the goal was to talk about how Southeast European countries could move forward toward their fundamental objective – membership of the EU – a journey on which Croatia wants to help them.
Before a working dinner on Monday evening, Plenković held talks with United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet and Director-General of the World Trade Organisation Roberto Azevedo.
Plenković said that a ministerial meeting would be held in Astana, Kazakhstan, in June 2020, at which the EU would play an important role and Croatia will be presiding over the EU.
