President Milanović at Austrian World Summit on Energy Transition and Adapting to Climate Change
President Zoran Milanović participated today in the Austrian World Summit at the invitation of Austrian President Dr. Alexander Van der Bellen and Arnold Schwarzenegger, founder of the climate initiative dedicated to raising awareness of the climate crisis and the urgent need for action. The objective of the Summit was to strengthen partnerships between people through an exchange of experiences and ideas in order to inspire as many individuals as possible to take part in environmental protection efforts under the Summit motto – “Be the solution!”
At the round table discussion “Reacting to the Climate Crisis – The European Green Deal,” at which he participated with the President of the Slovak Republic Zuzana Čaputová, the Executive Vice President of the European Commission Frans Timmermans and the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Spain Pedro Sánchez, President Milanović shared his views on energy transition and on how Croatia is adapting to climate change.
“Everyone chooses their company and that is why I think that by accepting the invitation of the Austrian President to join the Initiative for More Climate Ambition, I chose to be in good company for a good cause. Croatia is a small country and I would say that we rely too much on the tourism economy, which is very much related to environmental protection. We are doing what we can under the circumstances. A clean environment and ecological balance are very important for Croatia,” President Milanović underscored.
He said that at first glance everything in Croatia looks good – clean and attractive. “We use renewable wind energy and other sources much more than the European average because we can, but that’s just a fraction of the greater picture. The world is changing; all the direct evidence, even if you don’t believe the science, says something strange and dangerous is going on. These are things we haven’t seen so far and they will greatly affect our lives and the economy if we don’t get moving and take decisive action. This is a question of political will and basically a question of the ability of institutions to simply be the leaders of society,” said the President of the Republic.
“I am optimistic. Europe is once again the best place and region in the world to live, to raise children and plan for the future, and to work on personal, family and social progress. This is the best place,” President Milanović concluded at the round table discussion.
The President of the Republic later said in a statement to the media that this was the largest forum of its kind in Europe. “Given the circumstances, this is a major event and I am glad that the Austrian President invited me. During the coronavirus period, I met an exceptional man who is very important in the world, and if Croatia’s visibility can be increased a little as a result of that, I think it is useful for the country. Climate is terribly important to us because we are a country that literally lives off air,” he emphasized.
After participating in the Austrian World Summit, President Milanović held a bilateral meeting with the President of the Slovak Republic Zuzana Čaputová and he will also hold a bilateral meeting with the President of the Republic of Austria Dr. Alexander Van der Bellen.
PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Tomislav Bušljeta