Tonino Picula discusses EU enlargement and security in Rijeka

During a panel discussion in Rijeka titled ‘Europe at a Crossroads: Enlargement, Security, and Croatian Interests’, MEP Tonino Picula addressed the evolving geopolitical landscape and its implications for Croatia. Picula emphasized that EU membership serves as a vital insurance policy for Croatia amidst global instability.

Regarding EU enlargement, Picula stated that while it is in Croatia’s national interest to see neighboring countries join the Union to ensure regional stability, the process must strictly adhere to the Copenhagen criteria. He argued that enlargement should be based on concrete results and reforms rather than being pursued at any cost.

Picula also identified three global megatrends: increasing conflict over cooperation, political fragmentation with the rise of new power groupings, and the acceleration of global events. He noted that the shift from multilateralism toward transactional politics and the use of force over arguments creates significant uncertainty for the region.