MINSK, 12 December (BelTA) - Croatia's CEI Presidency will focus on the promotion of economic cooperation in the region, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Croatia to Russia and concurrently to Belarus Tonci Stanicic told the media following the CEI Heads of Government Meeting in Minsk on 12 December, BelTA has learned.
Croatia takes over the CEI presidency in 2018 from Belarus.
According to Ambassador Tonci Stanicic, during its presidency Croatia intends to strengthen the role of the Central European Initiative. “We will continue to support the exchange of knowledge and experience, to promote economic cooperation. We will attach close attention to the CEI parliamentary dimension since it is also important,” he noted.
The threat of terrorism and the migration crisis remain serious challenges, and Croatia intends to contribute to the solution of these problems during its presidency.
According to the diplomat, the CEI plays a very important role and serves as a matrix for the relationship between Europe and Asia, European countries' interaction with China within the framework of the Belt and Road initiative and in the 16+1 format. “Croatia will remain committed to the principles of compatibility and interconnectivity during its presidency in the CEI. We will work to improve coordination and cohesion between the regional and subregional organizations,” the diplomat said
Ambassador Tonci Stanicic thanked the Belarusian side for hosting the CEI Heads of Government Meeting in Minsk.
