German foreign minister to make inaugural visit to Croatia
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul is set to make an inaugural visit to Croatia on Monday, seeking to discuss the war in Ukraine, European security, defence and trade with the newest of the European Union’s 27 member states and a fellow NATO member.
Wadephul, who has been in office since Germany’s new conservative-led government was sworn in in May, is planning to hold talks with his counterpart Gordan Grlić Radman as well as Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković in Zagreb.
He also plans to address a gathering of ambassadors.
The political talks are set to focus on joint support for Ukraine in its defence against the Russian invasion, as well as EU security and defence policy and trade, according to the German Foreign Office.
A spokesman described Croatia as an important partner within the EU, highlighting the value of the country’s experience as the latest addition to the bloc when it comes to the accession of further Balkan countries.
Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia are all looking to join the EU but are at different stages of the accession process.
While Serbia, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Albania have entered official negotiations, Bosnia-Herzegovina holds the status of candidate country, while Kosovo is considered a potential candidate for accession.
