Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic on Thursday attended a virtual Summit for Democracy, which was called by US President Joe Biden, saying that Croatia strongly supported unity and the transatlantic partnership in promoting common values.

“Croatia sends a strong message of unity and resilience of the transatlantic partnership in promoting common values, democracy, and the rule of law,” Plenkovic said in his speech.

Maintaining the international order based on freedom, democracy, and rule of law as the principles underpinning international peace and security was quite easy until recently, but it is no longer so and we do not have the luxury of complacency any more, he said.

Plenkovic warned that growing uncertainty and the seriousness of changes in the world require renewed and reinforced efforts to preserve those values. That’s why close coordination and the focusing of our efforts is more important than ever, he added.

Speaking of problems burdening societies today, he cited disinformation, malicious foreign influence, toxic populism and autocratic tendencies, stressing that it was necessary to find a common response.

Democratic countries must actively engage to share best practice in promoting democracy, the rule of law and the protection of human rights and freedoms, both at regional and global level, the Croatian PM said.

He noted that today’s crises were more complex and, compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic and its socioeconomic consequences, were further affecting democracy and weakening institutions. “We have to work together to reverse this trend.”

Speaking of Croatia, Plenkovic said he supported the idea of preserving and promoting a living, healthy and stable democratic society.

The Croatian prime minister thanked President Biden for inviting him to the summit. The virtual meeting brought together leaders of about a hundred countries, institutions, and non-governmental organisations.

Shortly after its announcement, the summit caused strong reactions because countries such as Russia, China, and Hungary were not invited, while Congo and the Philippines were.

Opening the summit, Biden said that in the face of sustained and alarming challenges “democracy needs champions,” calling on the participants to join forces in opposing “autocrats”.