Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic met with former British prime minister Tony Blair in Zagreb on Wednesday to discuss major global crises, primarily in Afghanistan, as well as the COVID-19 crisis, and the post-earthquake reconstruction in Croatia, the government said in a press release.

Plenkovic and Blair, who is Executive Chairman of the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, “discussed global circumstances, Croatia’s position in Europe and the world, the situation in Afghanistan and security challenges, the global fight against COVID-19, and in particular, the importance of achieving the highest possible global vaccination rate,” the press release said.

Also discussed were plans for Croatia’s economic recovery in the aftermath of the coronavirus crisis and the reconstruction of its earthquake-struck areas with the help of European funds.

Plenkovic informed Blair of the measures taken by his government to preserve jobs and the liquidity of companies as well as of key reforms and investments planned as part of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan.

The PM stressed that Croatia’s foreign policy priorities in the coming period include admission to the Schengen Area in 2022 and the euro area in 2023.

Blair presented the work of the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, which advises governments in numerous countries on the implementation of reforms in various areas.

Blair will be one of the key speakers at the annual conference of Croatian ambassadors, consuls-general, consuls and military attaches on Thursday along with Prime Minister Plenkovic, the press release said.