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 Croatia? 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 Albania 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. North Macedonia 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 Zadar, Split Balkans. In this light, the Croatian and Dubrovnik. Croatia has eight cultural Presidency will organize a summit in Zagreb 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 Rijeka 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 Osijek 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, Sinjska Alka 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.