ZAGREB, March 27, 2018 – President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović said on Tuesday that the construction of an LNG terminal is essential for Croatia’s energy independence because “we might become hostage to some geopolitical crisis which might not be in our neighbourhood but might obstruct the energy supply,” which could affect Croatia’s economic and political stability.
Asked whether she was more inclined to a stationary or floating LNG terminal, Grabar-Kitarović said it was necessary to resolve the issue of gas supply as soon as possible and that she was in favour of a combined solution. “We should start with a floating terminal, because that ship can later be sold or relocated or leased to someone else, while a stationary terminal, which will have a larger capacity, is a permanent solution.”
“This is extremely important for Croatia’s energy independence because simply at some point we might become hostages to some geopolitical crisis which might not be in our neighbourhood but might obstruct the energy supply or put us in a situation where both citizens and the industry would suffer, and the country’s political stability might depend on that,” the president underscored.
With regard to the ecological safety of a floating terminal, the president said that it was no different from any other large ship and that there was no threat to the environment. She added that everything needed to be taken into account in a reasonable debate including the aspect of opening new jobs on Krk island and its surrounding area.
Asked about the latest developments concerning Russia, Grabar-Kitarović underlined that Croatia “is not leading a dual foreign policy,” adding that the state’s leadership held consultations on fundamental state positions. “I think it is good that we have divided our work, that there is no overlapping and that we are concentrating on what is important. What is particularly important to me is the economy and the promotion of the Croatian economy and economic diplomacy,” Grabar-Kitarović said.
