Plenković: the weaponization of tariff and trade policy has become a problem

The 19th Dubrovnik Forum held under the title: "The Age of Multi-Polarity: Many Directions, One Future" is in its final day today. As one of the most important diplomatic gatherings in this part of Europe, the Dubrovnik Forum has once again gathered a large number of European officials, ministers, deputy prime ministers, diplomats and experts.

Over the span of some twenty meetings and panel discussions participants addressed Europe's position in the changing global order, which is of special interest to Croatia and the region as a whole. For his part Prime Minister Andrej Plenković participated in the first panel of the day title: "The Age of Multi-polarity: Navigating New Realities."

“The other element, which is perhaps the most difficult one recently, besides the aggressions, besides taking someone else's territory, especially if it's a smaller neighbor, is the weaponization of tariff and trade policy. This has become a big issue, where I believe we need to address it in a more ... sometimes bilateral manner, but also in a multilateral sense, because if we witness the erosion of international organizations for smaller and medium sized states it's not the most favourable playing field. I don't think we're at a level playing field at that moment. That's why our position as a smaller country within the European Union is to strengthen the European Union as such, both in terms of defense and security, and second in terms of competitiveness and cohesion,” Prime Minister Plenković said.

Also on the panel was Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, who said renewed focus on strengthening Europe was vital to confronting the global challenges that await: “The situation of course at this moment is very complicated, for this we need more Europe. This is my idea, because if you want to work for the stability, first of all in our region, and our region is not only the Mediterranean region, it's also the Middle-East, Red Sea, because we are trade countries, for which it is important to offer peace and stability. We need more Europe. We need a strategy. It's important to be more united among us.

For his part the Secretary General of the Council of Europe Alain Berset commented on strained relations with Washington, which has traditionally been a strong ally for Europe: "We are friends since a very long time. It is not only dependent on what's happening in the very short term. We should have also in this regard the longer term view, and I'm really quite certain and confident that this partnership will remain strong in the long-term. Also, because, to be honest, I do not see really what would be the alternative on the long-term for the US as well. It is a mutual interest to work together, and I think we need to remain calm, to work on this, thinking on the longer term.

Meanwhile, the Secretary General of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Feridun Sinirlioğlu, warned of the risk of rearmament and future conflicts: "And today we see that the rules, norms and values that we subscribe to are no longer with us. And the polarization is deeper, therefore the risks are higher. And on top of that, there is a lack of communication, and a new wave of rearmament. I mean last year only, the military spending in the world was three trillion dollars. This will be doubled in 2035."

This year's forum, which marks the twentieth anniversary of the launch of this important political platform, closed with a cocktail reception hosted by Prime Minister Plenković.

Source: HRT