Andrej Plenković addresses Mediterranean security and energy at Chernobyl Forum

Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković participated in the 52nd Chernobyl Forum in Italy, where he addressed several critical issues facing the Mediterranean and the European Union. During discussions with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and Paolo Gentiloni of the European Investment Bank, Plenković highlighted migration, energy security, and EU enlargement as primary concerns.

Regarding migration, Plenković noted that illegal migration into Croatia has decreased to “almost insignificant levels” due to increased border security involving 7,000 daily police officers and technological investments. He emphasized that addressing migration issues in Spain and Morocco remains vital for the EU.

On energy, Plenković warned that Middle East conflicts and developments near the Strait of Hormuz are driving up oil and gas prices, impacting inflation and economic growth. He stated that Croatia has become a transit hub for gas and oil to Central Europe through investments in LNG terminals and infrastructure. He called for energy transition and the diversification of supply sources to mitigate potential shortages.

Finally, Plenković discussed EU enlargement, noting that while Russia’s attacks on Ukraine have accelerated the process due to geopolitical necessity, the EU must maintain a “merit-based approach” where all candidate countries meet the same criteria.