Opening Moves of the Croatian Presidency Table of contents

Interview with MEP Željana Zovko 4­7

PRIORITIES OF THE Croatian PRESIDENCY 8­10

POLITICAL CALENDAR FOR THE NExT SIx MONTHS 10­11

wHAT ABOUT ? 12 happen in an orderly way. The UK is and will Erasmus is one of the most successful always be a great partner of all European programs for European integration in the Interview with MEP Member States and after Brexit the Croatian history of the EU. It has existed for more presidency will guide the future UK-EU than thirty years and has enriched the lives relations towards a fruitful and longstanding of more than 9 million direct participants. Željana Zovko cooperation. Within the EU, the Croatian The European Parliament recognizes this presidency will have to steer the new success and encourages its continuation. balance between the Member States in the Even more, we would like to see more Council and engage with the other people engaging in the program, also At the end of 2018, the European institutions to continue building a coming from Neighbourhood countries and Parliament adopted its position on the prosperous and credible European Union. the Western Balkans. The Croatian 1 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF ) presidency follows the same line as their 2021-2027. However, at the Council This is the first time Croatia is taking the predecessors and also insists that Erasmus level, there are still sticking points on this Presidency of the Council of Ministers. must be adequately financed. dossier. What are the ambitions of the What vision of Europe does Croatia want Croatian Presidency regarding the to bring to its European counterparts? A similar message is used for the Common negotiations on the MFF in the Agricultural Policy. These files are strongly upcoming months? Do you think Croatia is the youngest Member of the EU attached to the debates of the Multiannual Member States could reach an and after only 6 years after its accession, it is Financial Framework and Croatia is very agreement in February/March 2020 as already presiding the Council of the ambitious to achieve positive results. They recently announced by former Budget European Union. This is a great honour for a will follow the work of the Finnish and Commissioner Günther Oettinger? country with such a moving background. Romanian Presidency and follow the Croatia wants to show the European discussions in the European Parliament In the presentation of its priorities for the Member States what the impact is of the closely. upcoming presidency, The Croatian European values and principles on the government already emphasized that the Željana ZOVKO country and its citizens and what great Croatia has announced its commitment to MFF 2021-2027 is one of the key files and achievements you can establish with half a an effective enlargement policy, especially Croatia will work rigorously to come to a decade of hard work. It is also a great in providing a realistic European conclusion of the negotiations. presidency is looking forward to learning message for our friends in the Western perspective to the Western Balkans from the Commission as to how they would Balkans to show that it is completely worth countries. In this context, what actions In her Agenda for Europe, Ursula von der like to cooperate on this challenging, but it to keep that European dream alive. have been envisaged by the Croatian Leyen, President elect of the European promising file. They will start constructive Presidency in order to encourage the Commission, identifies action on climate reflections on the Commission’s proposal Croatian authorities have declared their reform processes under way in South-East change, including a proposal for a and discuss it within all relevant parties. This intention to work towards strengthening Europe? Do you think that the refusal of European Green Deal, as one of the top also includes the economical and societal the mobility of students, researchers and the European Council to open accession priorities of her mandate. Croatian aspects, as well as transport and industry. teachers in Europe. In this context, what is negotiations with and North authorities have also put an accent on the the position of Croatia on the budget that Macedonia will have a negative impact on development of ambitious environmental Croatia will inherit the Presidency of the should be allocated to the Erasmus the progress of these reforms in the and climate change policies during their Council during the Brexit period. Do you program for the next programming region? Presidency of the Council. What can we expect this situation to raise opportunities period? Would the Presidency support the expect in terms of concrete initiatives in for the EU Member States to further substantial increase of the program budget With Croatia presiding in the Council, the this specific area? consolidate their ties? as proposed by the European Parliament? youngest Member State of the EU, they Given that the reform of the Common should use this momentum to make sincere Croatia recognizes the importance of a Many Council presidencies have already Agricultural Policy (CAP) has not been progress in the enlargement debate. The sustainable governance and witnesses the dealt with the Brexit issue and looking at concluded under the last legislature and is recent non-decision of the Council was a impact of natural disasters every year. how the situation looks now; the Croatian still ongoing both in the European big disappointment for the Western Protecting the environment and combating Presidency should be the final one. Croatia Parliament and in the Council, do you Balkans. and Albania climate change is high on the agenda in the hopes that, if the UK leaves the EU, believe that its finalisation will be a priority worked rigorously, and historic upcoming semester. The Croatian something that we deeply regret, it will for the Croatian Presidency? compromises have been reached. The halt

1 MFF: Multiannual Financial Framework 5 of enlargement opens space for other If I plan to go to Croatia for the weekend, actors and is a seed for instability in the what should I absolutely see/discover? region. As EPP Vice-Coordinator for the Foreign Affairs Committee in the European I would definitely recommend visiting the Parliament, I drafted and delivered a Croatian coast with more than thousand resolution to emphasize the common regret islands and an endless amount of ancient and to highlight the missed opportunity to architecture and history. The Croatian coast improve peace and stability. Together with is famous for its beauty, full of pebbly Chairman of the EPP Group Manfred beaches and clear turquoise water. Along Weber, I travelled to North Macedonia to the coast, you can find preserved coastal show that the EPP still supports the cities from Roman to Venetian times with European aspirations of the Western beautiful architecture such as , Split Balkans. In this light, the Croatian and . Croatia has eight cultural Presidency will organize a summit in and two natural properties inscribed on the to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the World Heritage List. The historic city of 2000 Zagreb Summit where the EU Trogir, Diocletian’s Palace in Split, Stari Grad promised a European perspective for the plain on Hvar, among others, are all places region. It would be of great symbolic value one must visit when in Croatia. I would if the Council could make progress in the specially recommend Plitvice Lakes National enlargement file before this celebration. Park as a unique experience of natural beauty. If someone prefers a quieter Could you briefly introduce your country? atmosphere but superb local cuisine and quality ethno-tourism, they should visit Croatia is a Central European and continental Croatia. Mediterranean country. With its beautiful sea and coast, dense forests in the Which Croatian culinary speciality would mountains and fertile fields in lowlands, it you recommend? vineyards located on Hvar Island. Whatever Could you recommend a contemporary combines the best characteristics one you choose to eat or drink in Croatia, you Croatian singer/writer/artist? country can have. Its history, culture and I would definitely recommend traditional will not be disappointed. heritage combined with welcoming and Croatian dish Peka. It is a dish made in a Croatia has many talented artists, but I friendly people make Croatia a perfect brick oven under high temperatures for long Which Croatian tradition are you proudest would like to particularly recommend the country to visit. The biggest cities are the duration. Heat slowly cooks the lamb or of? creative work of the well-respected and capital Zagreb, tourist hotspot Split towards octopus meat to perfection. Served with admired singer Oliver Dragojević, who has the south, the port of on the northern potatoes and salad it is a classic Croatian Our cultural heritage is very important to moved Croatians for decades with his Adriatic and in the northeast. dish. In addition, there are wide varieties of me as I am currently member of Committee beautiful songs. In addition, I would traditional cakes and sweets. In all of for Culture and Education in the European recommend contemporary author Miro Croatia, you will find varieties of apple and Parliament. It is very hard to single out one Gavran, a writer of short stories, fiction and cherry strudel pies, and in Dalmatia, the tradition I am most proud of. Croatia has 17 drama whose works have been translated most common sweets are Fritule, a donut- intangible Cultural Heritages that have into 40 languages, making him the most like type of traditional holiday treat. In Inner been added to the UNESCO list. From the translated Croatian writer. Croatia, the most famous treates are walnut annual carnival bell ringers’ pageant, cakes called Orehnja a and Me imurska č đ Ojkanje singing, to Klapa and Gibanica, a kind of cheese-layered cake the Festivity of Saint Blaise in Dubrovnik, from the region of Me imurje in the North. đ Croatia is rich in culture and heritage. I Along with excellent cuisine, Croatia is personally appreciate the tradition of famous for its wines. The most famous Croatian folklore dancing like Lado and wines are the red sourly wine called Plavac traditional Dalmatian singing, Klapa, but Mali from the Pelješac Peninsula and the every part of our heritage is important. Bogdanuša white wine from ancient Greek 7 Priorities of 2 a Europe that connects the Croatian Presidency As the world is becoming more and more connected every day, the Croatian Presidency will focus on connectivity across Europe, particularly in the transport and energy sectors. For the first time since its accession, Croatia will preside the European Council between Regarding transport, the Presidency hopes to improve trans-European transport networks and January and June 2020. Just like its predecessor (), Croatia is set to inherit several encourage their extension to neighbouring regions, as well as focus on digitalisation and sensitive files, such as: innovation in all branches. Furthermore, special priority will be given to shipping as part of the • The Multiannual Financial Framework 2021 – 2027 (MFF, long term budget of the EU): future strategy for a competitive and sustainable maritime sector. On land transport, the Alongside the Council’s new president Charles Michel, Croatia will contribute to reaching objective will be to conduct and conclude the negotiations with the Parliament on rail consensus on the MFF, which is set to be the financial driver behind the EU’s policies from passenger rights and eurovignette. 2021 to 2027. For now, the negotiations around the MFF are frozen, with disagreements Data will also be at the heart of Croatia’s priorities, especially 5G and artificial intelligence. The both between the three EU institutions and among Member States. Croatia is also likely country will thus focus on the implementation of the 5G toolbox, which should be adopted by to aim at preserving the budget allocated for cohesion and to keep Member States’ the end of 2019. participation at its current level of 15%. The Croatian Presidency will work towards an agreement as soon as possible, in order to ensure a swift implementation by 2021.B The Croatian Presidency will encourage the integration of the energy market through further • Brexit: during the six months of its mandate, Croatia is likely to deal with the United establishment and implementation of the Energy Union. Special attention will be given to the Kingdom’s departure of the European Union, set for 31 January. Although the EU has realisation of activities related to the five pillars of the Energy Union. It will also focus on the been preparing itself for this day for a while now, Brexit will probably entail additional transposition into national legislations of the legislative files from the Clean Energy package and work for the Presidency. initiative discussions on the future gas markets.

1 a Europe that is developing 3 an influential Europe

The Croatian Presidency’s first priority will be to support a balanced, sustainable and inclusive • Multilateralism, crisis response development of the EU while taking into account the specificities and needs of all Member In the context of growing tensions between the and , and other global States, their regions and their citizens. As such, it will focus on: challenges, Croatia wants to contribute to maintaining the EU’s leadership in the areas of • Regional development and the reduction of differences between Member States; freedom, security and justice. More specifically, Croatia’s presidency is likely to promote the development of more joint action in counterterrorism, trade wars and migration, as well as to • Ensuring the equal quality of products on the markets of all Member States; support the EU’s strategic involvement in multilateral crisis-response fora such as NATO. • Implementing the European Pillar of Social Right; Western Balkans • Promoting equality and empowering women in society and on the labour market; • In the field of enlargement, Croatia regrets the Council’s deadlock on the opening of EU • Further deepening the single market; accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia and therefore has the intention of • Strenghthening the competitiveness of European industry and the digitalisation of promoting a different approach to the Western Balkans. Until May’s EU-Western Balkans businesses; Summit, Croatia is thus committed to support further reform among candidate States and to • Implement the Paris Agreement and further discuss about a “green Europe”. encourage its peers to better acknowledge the progress done so far.

9 4 a Europe that protects 03 | March 04 | April • 4th: Executive Vice-Presidents Frans • Serbia should be holding • External borders Timmermans, Margrethe Vestager and parliamentary elections. Polls put Valdis Dombrovskis will present the In the context of Croatia’s bid to join the Schengen club by the end of 2020, its presidency incumbent PM Ana Brnabić’s SNS European Commission’s proposals on should also feature an emphasis on the improvement of the securitization of the EU’s external (centre-right) in a leading position to a New Circular Economy Action Plan, borders, including a special focus on Croatia’s 1000-kilometer-long border with Bosnia and decide on the next coalition, which Industrial Strategy, SME Strategy and Herzegovina. might still include Serbia’s second the Single Market. biggest party, the SPS (centre-left). • Migration • 15th and 22nd: will hold local • 12th: Parliamentary elections are elections in two rounds to vote on the In the subject of migration, Croatia wants to reform the Common European Asylum System and planned in North Macedonia. These mayors and local councils of its 34 968 might push for the principle of a differentiated solidarity, in an effort to enable better early elections have been called in the municipalities. Polls put Macron’s cooperation between Member States. lead-up to the European Council’s LaREM candidate Benjamin Griveaux rejection of the country’s request to neck and neck with incumbent mayor commence its accession talks with the Anne Hidalgo’s PS and current MEP EU. Rachida Dati’s LR in Paris. • The Conference on the Future of Political calendar for the • 26th-27th: European Council. Europe is expected to take place in Spring 2020 at the latest and run for two years. Said conference, to be next six months organised by the European Parliament, Council and Commission, is one of 05 | May Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s most prominent commitments. 01 | January 02 | February • Presidential elections are set to be It aims to give citizens the chance to held in and will be organised contribute to shaping the future of the • The European Commission is • 2nd: Executive Vice-President by universal suffrage, in two rounds. European Union. expected to publish several proposals Margrethe Vestager, in charge of Current president Andrzej Duda, who relating to the economy (portfolio of digital policies, will present the is officially independent but formerly a Executive Vice-President Valdis Commission’s proposals developing member of PiS, benefits from high Dombrovskis), such as a Sustainable the European approach to Artificial approval ratings and is said to be a Europe Investment Plan, a Roadmap Intelligence. likely candidate to his own succession. 06 | JUNE on Social Europe, an Initiative on Fair • 29th: will hold elections to the • An EU-Western Balkans Summit has Minimum Wages in the EU and a National Council, its sole chamber of been planned by the Croatian 2020 EU • 18th-19th: European Council. Review of the Stability and Growth Parliament, which will lead to the Presidency. EU leaders should discuss 21st-25th: Hideout Festival, one of Pact. • formation of a new government. enlargement and neighbouring policy Europe’s biggest electronic music th • 29 : the European Commission’s 2020 Opinion polls put incumbent PM Peter and will have a second chance to festival will take place, like every year, Work Programme will be made public. Pellegrini’s centre-left party, the Smer- agree on allowing North Macedonia on Zrce Beach (island of Pag). Do not • 31st: Brexit is scheduled to happen by PD, in the seat to form the next and Albania to start their accession miss out on the fun, 2020 marks the that date, after EU leaders agreed to coalition. talks with the EU. 10th anniversary. offer yet another extension for the • Presidential elections will be held in • The Presidency of the Council will divorce date. In October, as new PM . The President will be elected organise in Zagreb a Digital Assembly, Boris Johnson had promised to «get for a five-year term by the Greek an event which will give stakeholders Brexit done », he was legally bound by Parliament. A full list of official and citizens the opportunity to take the British Parliament to ask for this candidates is not yet known. part of the discussions on European extension. digital policy. 11 What about Croatia? GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS HISTORY

• Located in the northwestern part of the Balkan Peninsula, Croatia has a population of • Croatia, at one time the Roman province of Pannonia, was settled in the 7th century by the 4 100 000 people. The largest city and the national capital is Zagreb. . • On July 1st, 2013, Croatia joined the European Union, a historical step for the country. • In 1945, Croatia became on the six constituent republics of the Yugoslav Socialist • Its neighboring countries are and (North), Serbia (East), and Bosnia and Federation. Herzegovina and Montenegro (South). Croatia shares a maritime border with in the • First free elections took place in 1990 (for more than 50 years) and in June 1991, Croatia . became fully independent from through a declaration of independence voted • The Croatian flag (Zastava Hrvatske) or The Tricolour (Trobojnica), consists of three by the Parliament. equally sized, horizontal stripes in red, white and blue. In the middle is the coat of arms of • In 2003 Croatia submitted formal application for EU membership and the two years later Croatia. EU countries agree to start accession talks. • The coastal and insular areas of Croatia are popular tourist destinations like Hvar, a port • In 2009 Croatia officially joined NATO and in 2013 became the 28th EU member state. town and a summer resort, Korčula an island with medieval towers and walls, Brač, the Croatian island best known for its white-pebble beach. 13 tourist tips : food, drinks & places FUN FACTS

Zagreb Šibenik Zagreb’s Old Town is home to The city offers a blend of famous historical buildings Mediterranean architecture, l ia Suit up ! a t such as St. Mark’s Church, island beaches and festival Tired of suiting up? Blame Lotrš ak Tower, and the b a č culture. It is also known for its Croatia! The necktie, known in o beautiful Cathedral of the Assumption of o fortresses: particularly l French as a cravate, is a portmanteau r

the Blessed Virgin Mary, as well impressive is the St. Nicholas’ of the words croat and hrvati C G as the Dolac fruit and fortress, which was built at sea (Croatian in Croatian), and the vegetable market. with only a narrow path linking country of origin of the fashionable Despite a it to the mainland. garment. population of 4 million in Croatia, Zadar The Plitvice Lakes almost the same The former capital of Dalmatia The 8km string of 16 lakes, number of Croatians live abroad. The combines medieval heritage hemmed in by densely forested largest can be found in with a bustling café life, a hills, presents some of the most the United States, followed by vibrant bar scene and the kind eye-catching scenery in and . of avant-garde architectural mainland Croatia, with water projects that give the seafront rushing down from the upper the appearance of a lakes via a sequence of contemporary art installation. waterfalls. yum yum! 101 dalmatians Stars of the Disney movies and best known Konoba Fetivi (Split) as firefighting Wine Bar Bornstein Wine lovers dogs, Dalmatians One of the best (Zagreb) beware! Despite originate in the historical restaurants in Split, not being known as a traditional region of Dalmatia, Set inside of a cozy cellar, Konoba Fetivi is known for wine-producing country, the along Croatia’s the bar displays a wide its fuss-free traditional southwestern range of Croatian wines cuisine. The family-run famous white Zinfandel grape coast. hailing from the Adriatic establishment whips up known from Californian vineyards, coast to the hills of Zagreb. local specialties that will actually originated in Croatia. Restaurant 360° leave you salivating. (Dubrovnik) Within the walls of Dubrovnik, 360° offers an Back to the impressive view of the old port. Mouth-watering Roman times Mediterranean cuisine is Fascinated by ancient history, but not in the what you’ll enjoy as the mood to wait in the queues to see the chef blends traditional Coliseum in Rome? Take a trip to flavors with exciting twists. instead, to visit the best-preserved Roman The produce is fresh and amphitheater. In 2012, it even hosted an locally sourced. international hockey game! 15 SPORTS

Sport in Croatia plays a significant role and the country is, based on its population, one of the most successful at the international level.

o am Za The most popular sport is football, the n g i r country having reached a World Cup Final D

e in 2018 and Semi-Final in 1998 loosing each t b li p time against France. Famous football S players in history are Luka Modric, the 2018

k Golden Ball currently playing for Real Madrid, u

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d Davor Suker, Alen Boksic and Zvonimir Boban.

a H The local scene is mainly marked by the rivalry And for the real tv buffs, between Dinamo Zagreb and Hadjuk Split. check out Diocletian’s Palace in Split and Klis As well, Croatia has been very successful in water Fortress, host to some both at international level (2 World Championships and famous scenes from one Gold Olympic Medal) and at club level becoming seasons 2 and 3. the Euroleague Champions a total of 13 times.

Want to show off in a conversation? Croatian vic o players (such as Drazen r t Petrovic or Toni Kukoc) were the e

P Toni first foreign players to succeed in TV history n K

If you aren’t too interested by Roman e u the NBA and are considered key to the z

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r present-day mass influx of European o history and prefer something more D

Feeling the winter depression? modern, don’t worry, Croatia has c players into the NBA. Not in Croatia! Croatia is one of what you’re looking for! Game Europe’s sunniest countries, with of Thrones, one of the most over 2700 sunshine hours per popular tv series of all time, ran I year. Perfect to catch up on some has one of its major sets in o va Croatia is as well a prolific G n vitamin D! Dubrovnik, which stands in nation, winning the i s

for King’s Landing. goal medal at the 1996 and e v

i 2004 Summer Olympics ic c l and the 2003 World a

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noting the figure of Ivano Balic, o

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considered as the best handball a v player in history. I Solo island hopping Other famous Croatian athletes include the likes of siblings While Croatia has over 1000 islands, the fifth-most of Janica Kostelic and Ivica Kostelic, track and field athlete Blanka Vlasic and any EU country, only 48 of them are inhabited. players Goran Ivanisevic, Ivan Ljubicic and Marin Cilic. 17 Opening Moves of the Croatian Presidency

As the clock will strike midnight on December 31st, Croatia will for the first time inherit the EU Presidency. For a country so deeply rooted in the history of Europe and having to balance its ties between East and West, it is only fitting that one of Croatia’s national symbols is the checkerboard.

While it is perhaps most easily recognized abroad on the famous chequered national football team’s jerseys, this symbol can be traced as far back to the 10th century. According to legend, King Držislav won his freedom against his captor, the Doge of Venice, by winning three consecutive chess matches. To honour his victory, he incorporated the symbol that won him his freedom into his official coat of arms.

This symbol permeated through history and was used to identify Croatia since the Middle Ages on the flags of the Hapsburg monarchy as well as in more recent history, signifying the importance of Croatia, its lands, and coastline.

Indeed, Croatia’s position at one of the key crossroads of Europe exemplifies the ambition of the new European Commission to be geopolitical. Much like sailors of yore navigating the narrow Adriatic Sea, the new European Commission will have to navigate through the diversities of Europe, from North to South, East to West, and face new challenges head-on. As a country that has steered itself through worse times, who better to be at the helm of the European Presidency? Your move, Croatia. Brussels office Rue de Trèves 55-57 - B / 1040 Brussels Tel. : +32 (0)2 289 67 20 Paris office 17, rue de Miromesnil - F / 75008 Paris Tel. : +33 (0)1 56 88 52 10 Berlin office Mauerstrasse 83/84 - D / 10117 Berlin Tel. : +49 (0)30 201 438 213 Marseille office 9, Quai Rive Neuve, Vieux Port - F / 13001 Marseille Tel. : +33 (0)4 91 90 14 52 www.arcturus­group.com