ISSN: 2560-1601 Vol. 24, No. 4 (HR) Dec 2019 Croatia external relations briefing: An overview of key foreign affairs topics which shaped the political environment of Croatia in 2019 Benjamin Petrović 1052 Budapest Petőfi Sándor utca 11. +36 1 5858 690 Kiadó: Kína-KKE Intézet Nonprofit Kft. [email protected] Szerkesztésért felelős személy: Chen Xin Kiadásért felelős személy: Huang Ping china-cee.eu 2017/01 An overview of key foreign affairs topics which shaped the political environment of Croatia in 2019 Summary In the year of 2019, Croatia took part in a significant number of initiatives on an international scale, and its years-long activity in the same sphere resulted in its officials being awarded with positions of high responsibility in the international organizations. At the same time, it can be noted that some of the involvements in the international sphere are not well reflected on Croatian society, economics, and other pressing concerns. Hence, a questions of national interests are being raised, and whether engagement in many foreign affairs events and initiatives is anything more for Croatia than a declaration of a growing reputation in international community. Diplomatic achievement; a Croatian Secretary General of the Council of Europe The Council of Europe, situated in Strasbourg, France, is an international organization quite unfamiliar to Croatian general public. Because of such lack of recognition, improved by the chronic disinterest and apathy of Croatian citizens towards international institutions, there was far less excitement than expected when, on 26th of June 2019, Croatian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Marija Pejčinović Burić was elected as the next Secretary General of the Council of Europe. Therefore, it is vital to note that the Council of Europe is a leading international organization in promotion of human rights, democratic values and the rule of law. Often confused with the institutions of the European Union, the Council of Europe was founded in 1949, and is much more open in regards of membership, comprising of 47 member states, including non-EU members like Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, Armenia and Switzerland. Also, it has much lesser degree of impact than the institutions of the European Union with the most significant leverage of power in the European Court of Human Rights. Still, the Council of Europe is held in high regard from the perspective of progressive, modern Europe-oriented politicians, who deem it as yet another vehicle towards further integration, institutional interlinkage, and pan-European companionship. Being a clear representative of such a politician, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković took a great deal of pride when, Pejčinović Burić, a Minister in his cabinet and a Deputy Prime Minister, was 1 elected to lead the discussed organization. Indeed, Marija Pejčinović Burić, a moderate polyglot, with a measured presentation, and multilaterally oriented, eurocratic tendencies, is an evident material to lead an organization of any stature. Her new position is a definite success in terms of recognition and branding of Croatian potential in politics and management. Moreover, her declared dedication towards preserving the importance of the Council of Europe as an effective institution, able to cope with all current and potential issues, is encouraging for various interests of European leaders who tend to rely on institutions such as that, in order to achieve a broader reach of influence. It is to be seen how the presiding over an international organization will affect Croatia, regardless of mere promotional boon. As a leader of an organization of human rights character, Pejčinović Burić has an opportunity to stress many issues that bother Croatian citizens stemming from information rights, violence against women, domestic rights, education rights, media freedom, just to name a few. Additionally, with the support of Council of Europe Human Rights Commissioner, Dunja Mijatović, dealing with the matter of abuse of Croatian people in Bosnia and Herzegovina would be possible. Taking all into account, the election of a Croatian official on a significant position in the network of international organizations can be described as a diplomatic victory only if it implies more than a bragging merit serving as another highlight in biographies of Croatian diplomats. Croatia’s ascend in the European Union hierarchy? After the election for the European Parliament concluded in May of 2019, a true tall order was in front of European officials, as the Spitzenkandidat concept, which implied that every political option should nominate their candidate for the presidency over European Commission, proved to be a failure. The European leaders, faced with clashing national interests, which unfortunately shape the outcomes of decision-making processes on the EU level, were unable to come to a swift and consensual agreement. In line with that, to avoid further disarray, the decision was made behind the closed doors. In this clear presentation of democratic deficit that is burdening the institutions of the European Union, the European People’s Party elected one of its most zealous and notable representatives among the European leaders to be its’ leading negotiator, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković. Himself, often a target of media rumors that a heading seat of one of the EU institutions is waiting for him, Plenković is an experienced diplomat, a former Member of the European Parliament, and one of the most trusted political allies of the German Chancellor Angela Merkel. On the one hand, Plenković is criticized by 2 certain media, members of the Croatian opposition, and perhaps mostly, Croatian public, of putting the European interests in front of the ones of his own country. But on the other hand, those who find it to be a positive merit, find Plenković to be a perfect portrait of an educated eurocrat, leading a developing country towards political recognition. Everything mentioned above is important because of the fact that regardless of different opinions, the Prime Minister of Croatia did have one of key roles in electing the new president of the European Commission. The decision fell on Ursula von der Leyen, a former Minister of Defense of Germany, which is a valuable fact because of Plenković’s mentioned closeness with the German Chancellor. Such special relationship was confirmed when von der Leyen choose Croatia to be her third destination for an official visit after being elected. Another, more visible diplomatic success is von der Leyen’s election of Dubravka Šuica for a vice president of the Commission and commissioner in charge of Democracy and Demography sector. Leading a new sector, Šuica will have to deal with the issues of democracy and demography which can be recognized in every member state, manifested by a low interest of the citizens of the EU countries towards its’ institutions, especially noticed at the election for the European Parliament. Additional significant responsibility delegated to Šuica is the organization and running of a Conference on the Future of Europe. An event viewed as a tool to attract European citizens, aims at creating dialogue between citizens, civil society organizations, and the EU institutions, with an emphasis on the democratic process and development of confidence and trust between one another. Looking at everything mentioned, it can be declared that Croatia found a valuable ally in the new president of the European Commission, but the challenge lies within preserving a role of relevance and directing it towards the decision-making processes on a European level with a purpose of solving a vast array of issues that Croatia is facing. Questioning the participation in international peacekeeping missions In the period of late July 2019, Croatian public sentiment was shaken by a tragedy which occurred in Afghanistan, a global hot spot engulfed in a war lasting almost two decades. A young Croatian soldier, member of a contingent of Croatian military personnel deployed in NATO peacekeeping mission Resolute Support, died as a victim of a terrorist attack by a suicide bomber near Kabul. In an attack on a military convoy, another two members of Croatian Armed Forces were badly injured, but in time, managed to recover from their physical wounds. 3 A loss of life, tragedy in itself, served as an impetus for additional questioning of the purpose, necessity, and future of Croatian involvement in international peacekeeping missions, stressing NATO’s Resolute Support as the one with the highest degree of risk. Not undermining the tragic death, an array of questions came out of the event, questions that require a detailed analysis on levels of foreign affairs, military and security. Croatia, a member of NATO since 2009, is actively involved in the implementation of its decisions and missions and a true representative of a responsible and, in line with its capabilities, competent member. However, when the line is crossed by a tragic event, a matter of discounting solidarity towards allies against protecting national interest must be addressed. Yet, another source of concern stems from defining national interests. After taking a look at all the priorities a developing country, such as Croatia, must have, from national economy and trade to development and security, there is no apparent national interest that is accomplished by Croatia’s involvement in Afghanistan. The only argument of value is preserving the relations which enable continuous strengthening of integration processes with the organizations of the West. Nevertheless, being an active ally, and fulfilling the responsibilities set forth, must not be a goal in itself. Aiming at materializing tangible benefits, reaching every end of international cooperation spectrum, is what should define national interests, not a mere declaration of being loyal ally. After the media incentives, President Kolinda Grabar Kitarović, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, and Minister of Defense Damir Krstičević, all gave laconic comments, emphasizing the tragedy. But the issue of participation in peacekeeping missions, which is based on insufficiently defined reasoning, still remains.