HDZ president Andrej Plenković visits Brussels.
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker met on Thursday in Brussels with HDZ president and probable future Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković. Plenković was accompanied by Member of European Parliament and HDZ political secretary Davor Ivo Stier, reports Jutarnji List on September 30, 2016.
After the meeting, Plenković told reporters that he informed Juncker about the postelection situation in Croatia and that they also discussed economic development and the way in which Croatia can best utilize Juncker’s investment plan. Plenković said that he believed they could stimulate economic growth and investments in Croatia in cooperation with the European Commission. Plenković added that Juncker was pleased that Croatia was an example of a country in Central and Eastern Europe in which a party won election on a rational, non-populist campaign.
In Brussels, Plenković also met with president of the European People People’s Joseph Daul. “I am very glad that I have met today with my friend Andrej Plenković. He had a great campaign and I congratulated him”, said Daul, adding that he was proud that Plenković managed to win the election with using populist rhetoric.
Plenković said that negotiations on forming a government were proceeding as planned, but he would not comment on information about the possible composition of the cabinet. He also expressed his wish that the European Commission would cautiously approach the Croatian law on conversion of loans in Swiss francs into euros. “We explained the importance of issues relating to the conversion of loans in Swiss francs. We do not want to find ourselves in a situation which would be harmful to Croatian national interests, especially the Croatian taxpayers”, said Plenković.
“We expect that the European Commission will understand Croatian explanation and Croatian positions”, said Plenković. “During the meeting with Juncker today, we did not go into details. We will state our position hopefully in a few weeks, very quickly”, he concluded.
