President Milanović: Claiming Ukraine is Closer to EU Membership than Montenegro or North Macedonia is an Insult to Those Countries
“It is too early to draw conclusions about Croatia’s experience with the introduction of the euro. But what we are witnessing is an unprecedented surge in prices and a serious imbalance. Real estate prices are rising dramatically, and some of the price differences are difficult to explain,” said the President of the Republic of Croatia Zoran Milanović on Monday in response to a question from a Bulgarian journalist about Croatia’s experience with the euro and what advice he would offer Bulgaria, which has decided to join the Eurozone.
“Every country knows what is best for itself. Finances are at the heart of how a state functions. Bulgaria will make its own decision; it has aligned with the existing criteria such as deficit and inflation. The most damaging claim is that a national currency serves no purpose—history has proven otherwise. No, it’s not useless. A national currency always has the potential to protect national interests,” President Milanović added after his meeting with Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, who is on an official visit to Croatia.
The two Presidents also discussed the situation in Southeast Europe and the prospects for EU membership for Western Balkan countries. When asked about the relationship between Bulgaria and North Macedonia—whose EU path is currently stalled due to a Bulgarian veto—President Milanović said: “This is essentially a domestic political issue of Bulgaria and Macedonia. A few years ago, I sided with Macedonia. A lot of time has passed, governments have changed, and now I believe the two countries must resolve it between themselves. Bulgaria is in the EU; Macedonia is not. I will no longer put myself in the position of feeling sorry for someone because they can’t join the EU—there is life beyond the EU. It now seems to me that the question is what Macedonia wants for itself. If it chooses not to compromise, it won’t collapse if it doesn’t join the EU.”
He also addressed the view held by some in Europe that Ukraine is more likely to join the EU before countries in Southeast Europe: “I don’t share that view. To me, it increasingly seems like the cynicism and arrogance of certain European institutions just won’t stop. Ukraine is a country at war, without clearly defined borders, and it cannot finance itself. To say it is closer to EU membership than Montenegro or North Macedonia is an insult to those countries. Above all, it’s unfair and inhumane.”
In this context, he recalled the stringent conditions Croatia had to meet before joining the EU: “Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary—none of them had to meet the criteria that Croatia did. That’s a fact. Are we angry or bitter about it? Not at all. That was simply the reality at the time. I am aware that some Western Balkan countries—if they join the EU—will enter less prepared than Croatia was. But that’s not the case with Ukraine. And those who claim otherwise and pretend not to see the truth are not doing Ukraine any favours. That country needs help to survive.”
President Milanović also commented on the recent introduction of U.S. tariffs on European goods: “In recent days, we’ve seen that the United States—President Trump, since no one else is consulted—has decided to impose 30 percent tariffs on European products. That’s how they protect American industry. The same will happen with China. But for decades, America has enjoyed the exorbitant privilege and enormous benefit of having a currency—the dollar—that it can manipulate however it wants. The deficit China accumulated in dollars or dollar-denominated securities was reinvested in the U.S., benefitting people like Trump. The U.S. can’t have it both ways—it can’t fully protect its domestic industries through tariffs while also manipulating the dollar,” said Milanović.
Speaking about his meeting with President Radev and Croatian-Bulgarian relations, President Milanović said: “With President Radev, it’s possible to speak openly about the difficult issues of the world we live in today, and that’s what we did. Relations between Croatia and Bulgaria are good, and I see no challenges either now or in the future.” He added that the discussion also touched on the situation in Europe and the state of the armed forces in European countries: “Defense capabilities and the cost of armaments are extremely high. These are core state issues—defense, national security, and finance.”
President Radev emphasized the importance of Croatia and Bulgaria in regional stability: “Croatia and Bulgaria are a key factor when it comes to the security and stability of Southeast Europe—not just as members of NATO and the EU, but as countries that share responsibility for the region’s stability and prosperity. EU enlargement toward the Western Balkans should be a priority, especially in light of deep geopolitical changes. The individual merits of each country must remain a key criterion in the integration process,” Radev said. He added that the EU must take greater responsibility, not just for its own defense, but also for building a dynamic and competitive economy, which he said should be a top priority.
“Our two countries must continue to strengthen their defense capabilities to contribute to peace and security. We should also support NATO’s defense capacity and broader European security. Moreover, our two states are playing an increasingly important role in ensuring energy security and its diversification—not just for ourselves, but also for neighbouring countries in the region. We will continue, as we do with Croatia, to work to build greater trust among all stakeholders in this process, based on the principles of good neighbourliness and inclusiveness,” President Radev concluded.
PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Dario Andrišek, Ana Marija Katić