Croatian diplomats confront global and domestic challenges at annual gathering

Croatian ambassadors, consuls, and military attachés are meeting in Zagreb this week for their annual conference, held against a backdrop of global instability and domestic political tensions.

The two-day event comes as wars in Ukraine and the Middle East reshape international relations, while at home, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and President Zoran Milanović remain at odds over the appointment of new ambassadors to key posts abroad.

In his opening remarks, Foreign and European Affairs Minister Gordan Grlić Radman outlined the priorities for Croatia’s foreign policy.

“Russia’s aggression on Ukraine and other global conflicts, the geopolitical turmoil, and the increasingly fragile world order based on international law,” he said, are among the most pressing issues, adding that economic fragmentation and trade disputes also pose major challenges.

On Ukraine, Croatia continues to support a lasting and just peace, diplomats said. However, Croatia’s ambassador to Kyiv, Anica Djamić, noted that any peace deal will likely require concessions.

“As far as the Ukrainian people are concerned, they want peace as soon as possible. But I’m afraid such a peace will not be just,” Djamić said, pointing to Ukraine’s aspirations to join the EU and NATO while acknowledging the political realities.

Former Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, who helped broker the Northern Ireland peace process, addressed the conference as a guest speaker. Drawing parallels with past efforts, he warned of the consequences when diplomacy fails.

“Thirty years on, we can sadly see how processes like the Oslo Accords, born out of hope in 1993, can fail with devastating consequences. We see this daily on our screens, in Gaza and beyond,” Ahern said.

Domestically, Croatia faces a major overhaul of its diplomatic corps, with many diplomats nearing retirement. Grlić Radman confirmed that the ministry has proposed a list of new candidates, which is still being coordinated with the president’s office.

The conference concludes tomorrow with a reception hosted by President Milanović.