Croatia, the youngest Member State of the European Union, identifies four priorities for its first six-monthly Presidency of the Council of the EU, which will begin on 1 January 2020: a Europe that develops economically, connects, protects and is influential at the international level.
Thanks to the new institutional cycle, "fresh air is needed" for all files we're inheriting and those we want to put forward, said Croatian Ambassador to the European Union, Irena Andrassy, on Wednesday, 4 December, at an event organised by the European Policy Centre think tank.
MFF. Although the President of the European Council will lead the negotiations at the highest political level, the Croatian Presidency will have a role to play in seeking a unanimous agreement of the European Council on the 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) (see other news and EUROPE 12381/1).
The MFF is "not only about money", it is an area that will shape our "vision" of Europe in the medium term, said Andrassy, for whom the framework should be in place in "January 2021". She called for a "good balance" between contradictory positions defended by Member States, some defending traditional EU policies (agriculture, cohesion) and others wishing to give priority to policies of the future (innovation).
If agriculture and cohesion policy play such an important role in the EU budget, it is for historical reasons, particularly in order to correct internal "imbalances" within the EU, the ambassador noted.
Enlargement. European enlargement policy is a matter that requires a different approach, according to Croatia. Everything taking place in the Western Balkans is felt, both in terms of the economy and in security, said Andrassy, who regretted the European Council's deadlock on the opening of EU accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania (see EUROPE 12352/2).
In the run-up to the summit between the EU and the countries of the region in Zagreb in May, the Croatian Presidency will try to take forward "positive language" to show the progress made by the countries concerned, Andrassy said. "Maybe the focus has been too much on what does not work", she said, referring to the problems related to respect for the rule of law, often raised by countries like France.
But Croatia is not against a reflection on the enlargement process, considering itself well placed to identify what works and what does not. "We did see how it can work. And that requires two things: motivation and political will from both sides", the ambassador said.
In June, the Croatian Presidency will also organise an Eastern Partnership Summit.
Migration. Asked about human rights violations committed against migrants attempting to enter the EU illegally by crossing the Bosnian-Croat border (see EUROPE 12369/6), Ms Andrassy indicated that the "unfortunate situations" identified were being addressed and would be sanctioned, if necessary.
At the same time, protecting the 1,000-kilometre-long and mountainous border with Bosnia and Herzegovina is "very difficult", she said, referring to the mobilisation of "6,000 police officers". She went on to say that: "We want to show that we are really serious on handling the situation. It is important to protect the border".
This issue is closely linked to Croatia's entry into the Schengen area of free movement of persons, which could take place at the end of 2020 (see EUROPE 12354/2).
Finally, on the reform of the European asylum system, the ambassador considered that identifying differentiated solidarity between Member States could be "the right way forward". But we still need to agree on what this concept means, she added. (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)