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bne September 2018 Cover story I 29
to these common values and upholding them together. The TSI is based on three pillars – building intermodal transport that exists in Western Europe but that we lack. Energy, which is a very impor- tant aspect of economic development, political independence, and political stability, and digitalisation.”
Looking east, Grabar-Kitarovic defended her relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which appears to be personally warm, and has included
her calling for closer co-operation
with Russia. Sberbank is Agrokor’s big- gest creditor, leading to concerns over its leverage in the country, and Gazprom has been building its presence as a gas
“Being an Atlanticist and maintaining a dialogue with the Russian president is in no way contradictory,” Grabar- Kitarovic said, asserting that the relationship was based on necessity, and three main areas of co-operation. Firstly, addressing crises such as Ukraine and Syria, in which Croatia supports Nato and EU policy. Secondly, the regional level, with a need for Rus- sian support in an increasingly fractious Bosnia & Herzegovina, as a guarantor of the Dayton Peace Agreement. And thirdly, specific bilateral issues includ- ing the Agrokor crisis.
Turning finally to Croatia’s neighbours in the Western Balkans, Grabar-Kitarov-
starting accession talks with Macedonia and Albania in June. While Croatia has been accused of putting roadblocks on the EU path of Serbia and Bosnia in particular, the president insisted that the country was a staunch supporter
of enlargement – and called for a new terminology for the region.
“I prefer to call it the consolidation of Europe, because Europe will not be enlarging, it will be consolidation of the vacuum that we’ve created over a great area to the south and east of Croatia.
I don’t like calling it the Western Bal- kans – I think it evokes negative feel- ings, it has become a global trope that signifies dissolution, war, instability. Who would want the Balkans in their own home? I prefer to call it Southeast Europe, to give it a geographically more neutral dimension, but also a broader dimension, because we’re all responsi- ble for their accession, including Greece and Romania and Bulgaria and Hunga- ry and Italy, to help our neighbouring countries to move forward on the EU path as soon as possible.”
“Being an Atlanticist and maintaining
a dialogue with the Russian president is in no way contradictory”
supplier to Croatia through its partner- ship with Croatia’s PPD, seen by some
as a company with considerable political influence.
ic admitted that EU accession appeared “a distant prospect right now”, and said that she regretted that the European Council had not given the go-ahead to
World leaders Arriving at NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) SUMMIT 2018. Gints Ivuskans / Shutterstock.com
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