Croatian PM wants red lists to take counties, not entire country into account

ZAGREB, Aug 31 (Hina) – Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said on Monday that during talks in Bled, Slovenia today, he would talk with Slovenian PM Janez Jansa about putting counties and not countries on coronavirus red lists.

Plenkovic and six other European prime ministers are attending the Bled Strategic Forum, and he will meet on the fringes with Jansa and Hungarian PM Viktor Orban.

Speaking to the press, Plenkovic said the meetings would discuss “joint efforts to reduce infection and its cross-border effects.”

In mid-August, Slovenia put Croatia on the red list, which means mandatory quarantine for anyone arriving from Croatia. In order to avoid quarantine, many Slovenian tourists left Croatia.

“Our position is to attempt, notably in Slovenia, not just because of Croatia but also for the sake of numerous Slovenians who are our frequent and dear quests, to set the county level as a criterion for the infection, something like Germany has done. I think there is room for that and that that is the best option.”

Rovinj (Photo: Haris Suljic)

He said the Bled Strategic Forum, the most important foreign policy event in Slovenia, was a good opportunity for European states to analyse their management of the coronavirus pandemic so far.

We can slowly sum up what has been good since January, he said, “what we have done well together, and how to respond together in the future when it comes to a vaccine or the procurement of medical and protective equipment.”

Slovenian reporters asked him if he and Jansa would discuss the territorial dispute between the two neighbouring states.

“Our position has been clear the entire time. We had Slovenia’s initiative before the European Court in Luxembourg and you saw the decision, that it’s not competent. We are still willing to talk about the border with Slovenia and our stance has not changed during my whole term,” Plenkovic said, adding that it was necessary to find a “good, sustainable solution acceptable to both countries.”

The 15th Bled Strategic Forum is focusing on Europe after Brexit and COVID-19. Also attending are Czech PM Andrej Babis, Polish PM Mateusz Morawiecki, Bulgarian PM Boyko Borissov, and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. Italian PM Giuseppe Conte is participating via video link.

The foreign ministers of Croatia, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Romania also arrived in Bled for a panel in which the EU High Representative for foreign and security policy, Josep Borrell, will also take part.