Overview

• Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul is traveling to Zagreb to meet Gordan Grlić Radman and Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and to address Croatia’s ambassadors’ conference.
• Wadephul called Croatia a model and bridge for its neighbors, urging an active role in guiding the region toward EU membership.
• He highlighted that Montenegro and Serbia have long-running talks, Albania and North Macedonia opened negotiations in 2022, Bosnia and Herzegovina remains a candidate without talks, and Kosovo is a potential candidate.
• He argued that a strong, united and open Europe serves as a bulwark against authoritarian pressure and supports continental stability.
• He warned that where an EU path is unclear, autocratic powers seek influence through disinformation, corruption and violence, with consequences he said would be felt most by Croatia and its neighbors.