Croatian President meets with EC President Juncker

Juncker said that the European Commission recognises the role of the Initiative, which is aimed at strengthening connectivity, which, he said, is something the Commission itself advocates, said the press release.
He supported the creation of synergy with the energy union and policies to relieve climate change, as well as with the digital single market.

Grabar-Kitarovic also discussed with Juncker the significance of connectivity for digital economy, society, and regional cooperation. She invited Juncker to the Initiative's summit in the autumn.

Also discussed was the Commission's proposal for the future multi annual European Union budget, and the two officials said that in addition to traditional policies, particularly cohesion and common agricultural policies, it is necessary to take into account the challenges Europe is currently faced with – from migration and security challenges to the digital revolution and defence.

Grabar-Kitarovic talked about the issue of the national co-financing of projects from European funds, noting that if the national component were to be increased, it could have negative consequences for the implementation of projects in Croatia - at the county, municipal and city level.

Reflecting on the situation in Croatia's southeastern neighbourhood, Grabar-Kitarovic said Croatia strongly supported further individual progress of all countries on their pathway to EU membership, on the condition they met the set criteria.

Juncker expressed satisfaction with Croatia's support for the Strategy for the Western Balkans and the accession process, and in that regard expressed hope that Croatia would use its strategic position to help bring about reconciliation and regional cooperation.

Grabar-Kitarovic and Juncker also discussed Croatia's plans during its first chairmanship of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2020.

Croatia's president is on a two-day visit to Brussels. On the first day of her visit, on Wednesday, she spoke with European Council President Donald Tusk and gave a lecture on Croatia’s experiences as an EU member at the European Policy Centre.

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