PM speaks at MSC on European Values

The three-day Munich Security Conference, which brought together world leaders and security experts from more than 120 countries, concluded on Sunday in the Bavarian capital. Among the attendees was Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković.

Set against the backdrop of strained transatlantic relations, much of the attention focused on U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who delivered a closely watched address on Saturday aimed at rebuilding trust between Europe and the United States.

In her keynote speech on Sunday, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas welcomed Rubio’s remarks. She acknowledged that Brussels and Washington do not always see eye to eye, and likely never will on every issue, but stressed that differences can and must be managed through cooperation.

Referring to comments by French President Emmanuel Macron at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Kallas noted that Europe is sometimes too slow to act and requires reform. “But we absolutely know who we are and what we stand for,” she said.

Kallas outlined three key priorities she believes are essential for Europe to regain its global standing. The first is strengthening Europe’s defence, beginning with continued support for Ukraine. The second is ensuring stability and promoting enlargement in the EU’s eastern and southern neighbourhoods. The third is building stronger international partnerships through expanded trade agreements.

Prime Minister Plenković took part in a panel discussion on preserving European values and identity. He said Europe is confronting a range of security, migration and technological challenges that are reshaping political and social dynamics. Leaders, he argued, have a responsibility to stand for truth, facts and reason.

Plenković highlighted four core values underpinning the European project. “The first is democracy, which connects all European nations and places us firmly within the free world,” he said. “Second is the rule of law as an overarching principle. Third is the protection of human rights and equality for all citizens. And from a political centre-right perspective, we also value our Christian roots.”

Having served as prime minister for nearly a decade, Plenković said these four pillars remain central to his leadership.

Turning to the evolving global order, the Croatian leader described a growing divide between democracies, which he said favour cooperation in international relations, and authoritarian regimes, which he argued increasingly adopt confrontational approaches.

He framed Croatia’s response as a policy of “modern sovereignty” - strengthening the country’s institutional, political, economic, strategic and energy positions to enhance national resilience and prosperity. “If you succeed in delivering that mix,” he said, “you enable your society to make a significant leap forward.”

Plenković also addressed the rapid pace of technological development, warning that its impact on children represents one of the most serious emerging challenges to European values.