Andrej Plenković: Great powers choose bilateral relations, small ones depend on multilateralism

– We also have the problem of simultaneous security, energy, economic and social tensions. You have to play in different areas at the same time, while maintaining social cohesion, preventing strong attacks on citizens and also conducting the right economic policy. That’s why a series of quick and brave decisions are needed – Plenkovi pointed out.

He emphasized that a serious problem is the use of trade policy and tariffs as a weapon against longtime allies.

– That’s not useful. We need to discuss this on a bilateral, but also multilateral level, because we see the erosion of international organizations and the situation in which market competition is being disrupted. As a smaller country, we have the role of strengthening the EU both in terms of defense and security, but also in terms of competitiveness and cohesion – Plenkovi said.

He reminded that the Republic of Croatia has met the requirement of necessary expenditures for defense, but that at the same time it must work on economic growth.

– We currently have the fiscal space for such expenditures. If we didn’t, then we would have a debate about why we spend money on the military, when we could spend it on education or health. Of course we have to find the means for all that. Therefore, we need to work on strengthening the economy and the functionality of institutions – said Plenkovi.

He added that Russian President Vladimir Putin has done more to arm NATO members than the allies themselves, but also that there is no longer a feeling among NATO members that NATO will always protect them like a big brother.

– We must first invest in ourselves, and then put a lot of effort into functional partnerships in terms of reaction to potential external threats and attacks. We have to find a way to cooperate with the USA, but at the same time strengthen European defense. The transatlantic partnership has brought a lot of good to the Western world, and we should continue to nurture that – said Plenković.

Nappiesć stated that the primary goal is to protect one’s own democracy from external influences, because the influence of technology on democratic processes is visible.

– Illegal migration is also a problem, and we need to reduce energy dependence and strengthen good relations with those who supply us with energy. We need to strengthen security and defense, and the prerequisite is a competitive economy – said the Prime Minister.

The Vice-President of the Council of Ministers and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Italian Republic, Antonio Tajani, said that in order to achieve stability and security in the world, it is essential to ensure peace first, and for that, ‘more Europe’ and a good strategy are needed.

– It is important to be more united. We are at a moment when we need to unify and strengthen the financial and energy market. In addition, Europe is our identity and we must protect our values, but also position ourselves in relation to the USA, Russia, China and India. For the struggle between democracy and autocracy, we need a strong Europe, not empty stories – said Tajani.

The Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, emphasized that “breaks are occurring” in the international order, and the division between the so-called hard and soft security.

– Investing in a stronger army serves to protect the state and democracy. Europe has long tried to show its soft power, but I think those times are over. The security aspect has changed for individual European countries, but also for our entire continent – said Berset.

The Secretary General of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Feridun Sinirlioğlu stated that multipolarity has always existed and is not a new concept.

– The world is very heterogeneous. In a homogeneous world, multipolarity has always come in handy. Security in Europe is undermined, and polarization is deepening. So the risks are higher. Most of all, we lack communication, and there is a new wave of armaments. Imagine that in nine years we will spend six trillion dollars on military needs. And that does not create more security for us. More weapons have never provided more security – said Sinirlio.