President Milanović Calls on Prime Minister to Continue Consultations and Discussions on Appointment of Ambassadors, Consuls General and Consuls

The President of the Republic Zoran Milanović met today in the Office of the President with ambassadors, consuls general, consuls and military attachés of the Republic of Croatia participating in the regular annual conference of Croatian diplomats in Zagreb. President Milanović shared his views on foreign policy putting emphasis on relations with neighbouring states.

The President of the Republic underlined that he is focused on relations with neighbouring states because the political and economic stability in the Croatian neighbourhood are crucial for Croatia too that needs peace, order and predictability. President Milanović feels that Croatia should have greater influence on improving the situation in the region of South-East Europe where circumstances in the past year did not change for the best. He especially underlined the importance of the establishment of stability in neighbouring Bosnia and Herzegovina, and highlighted the excellent relations that Croatia has had in recent years with Slovenia, yet noted that cooperation with Serbia remains difficult.

Following the meeting, a reception was held for some one hundred Croatian ambassadors, consuls general, consuls and military attachés in the Office of the President. Also attending the meeting were representatives of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs and advisers to the President of the Republic.

Although there was no mention of it at the meeting, led by his constitutional role as co-creator of foreign policy, President Milanović repeated his call to Prime Minister Andrej Plenković to continue consultations and discussions on the appointment of ambassadors, consuls general and consuls in vacant positions in Croatian diplomatic missions as well as in positions where the mandate of ambassadors, consuls general and consuls has expired. President Milanović feels that discussions with the Prime Minister or discussions between authorised representatives of the Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia and the Croatian Government is the only way to agree on the necessary appointments in Croatian diplomatic missions.

Since 2020 President Milanović has only made a decision on the appointment of Hidajet Biščević as Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia to Belgrade and it was on the proposal of Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, who wanted precisely this ambassador in this diplomatic position. That appointment and the recent agreement on the appointment of military attachés prove that the appointment of ambassadors, consuls general, consuls and military attachés is possible when there is a will and readiness on both sides to resolve issues. The Office of the President of the Republic is ready to continue discussions on the appointment of ambassadors, consuls general, consuls and military attachés as soon as next week.

PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Filip Glas, Tomislav Bušljeta