ZAGREB, February 8, 2020 – The Croatian EU Presidency is taking place at a decisive period for the future of Europe, when the multiannual EU budget is being decided on, while London and EU are beginning negotiations on future relations, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said for the Italian agency Agenzia Nova.
Politically and economically, the most important topic of the presidency is the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), noted the prime minister.
“We will work on reaching an agreement, along with European Council President Charles Michel, who has taken over the negotiations.”
This is one of the most complex topics within the Union, and it is obvious that substantial differences of opinion exist, Plenković said.
“In that context, we will give Michel, who took on the preparation of the ‘negotiation box’, all the support possible and all while advocating for the acknowledgement of Croatia’s specificities as the youngest member of the Union who has had access to European funds for the shortest period,” stated Plenković, convinced that an agreement acceptable to all will be reached in the end.
Plenković also noted that Croatia was determined to take on a key role in the process of EU enlargement, because that is in the political, economic, and security interest for Croatia and the whole of the EU.
“That refers mostly to reaching a positive decision on opening accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania, as well as conducting regular meetings in various formats such as the Zagreb summit.”
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