AGP Executive Report

China Ties: President Zoran Milanović met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Zagreb, reaffirming Croatia’s one-China policy. Prime Minister Andrej Plenković also held talks with Wang, focusing on trade, investment and deeper cooperation. Montenegro’s EU Bid: Zagreb secured changes to EU conclusions, removing proposed deadlines for closing accession chapters, and is pressing eight bilateral demands before supporting Montenegro’s progress. Serbia Dispute: After Belgrade protested alleged Croatian interference in its elections, Plenković rejected the accusation as “ridiculous.” MEP Tonino Picula said Brussels is taking a tougher view of Serbia’s EU path. Hate-Chant Arrests: Police arrested Hajduk Split supporters over antisemitic and pro-Nazi chants before the Ajax match. Milanović condemned the chants, and Hajduk apologized; UEFA sanctions could follow.

Montenegro’s EU Bid: Croatia has secured the removal of a proposed year-end deadline for closing Montenegro’s accession talks and set out eight bilateral conditions, deepening a dispute over Zagreb’s role in enlargement. China Ties: Prime Minister Andrej Plenković met Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Zagreb, backing stronger trade and cooperation in infrastructure, tourism and renewable energy. Extremist Chants: Police have arrested at least 12 Hajduk Split supporters over pro-Nazi and antisemitic chants before the Ajax match; Croatia’s president and government condemned the incident. AI Investment: Croatia’s new national plan envisages €932 million for artificial intelligence development by 2032, including wider use in public services and business. Serbia Relations: MEP Tonino Picula says Brussels is reassessing its approach to Serbia, while Zagreb has rejected Belgrade’s allegations of Croatian interference in its elections.

Foreign Affairs: Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić Radman will visit Cambodia on October 19–20 to discuss bilateral ties and regional issues. In Zagreb, President Zoran Milanović and Foreign Minister Wang Yi pledged closer Croatia–China cooperation; Milanović reaffirmed Croatia’s one-China policy. EU Enlargement: EU leaders ended their summit without a clear plan for expansion. Croatia’s objections led to the removal of a proposed year-end target for Montenegro’s accession talks, as Zagreb insists eight longstanding disputes be addressed. Public Order: Police arrested at least 12 Hajduk Split supporters after antisemitic, pro-Nazi chants before the club’s match with Ajax. Croatia’s president and government condemned the chants and called for punishment. Regional Aid: Bosnia and Herzegovina is named a priority partner in Croatia’s draft development and humanitarian aid programme through 2030, alongside Ukraine and Syria.

China Ties: President Zoran Milanović and Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić Radman met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Zagreb, pledging stronger exchanges and cooperation. Wang’s visit is the first by a Chinese foreign minister in 33 years. Hate-Chant Investigation: Police arrested suspects after Hajduk Split supporters shouted antisemitic and pro-Nazi slogans before the Ajax match. Milanović called for action by police, prosecutors and courts, saying condemnation alone was not enough; the government also denounced the chants. Montenegro’s EU Bid: Croatia’s intervention removed a proposed end-of-2026 deadline for closing Montenegro’s negotiating chapters from EU summit conclusions. Zagreb says Montenegro must address eight outstanding conditions, including judicial and foreign-policy issues, before its accession talks advance. Serbia Dispute: Belgrade protested alleged Croatian interference in its election campaign. Prime Minister Andrej Plenković rejected the accusation as “ridiculous” and said Croatia does not interfere in Serbian elections.

EU Enlargement: Germany is pressing Zagreb to resolve its disputes with Montenegro, warning that a Croatian hold-up could stall the country’s EU bid. Croatia says its eight demands—including progress on war-crimes cases, compensation and border issues—are longstanding. Croatia-Serbia Tensions: Zagreb rejected Belgrade’s accusation of election interference, with Prime Minister Andrej Plenković calling Serbia’s protest note “ridiculous.” Law and Order: Police are identifying Hajduk Split fans accused of antisemitic chants and Nazi references; Plenković condemned the slogans and called for prosecutions. Anti-Corruption: Former Croatian Roads chief Josip Škorić was convicted of taking bribes and sentenced to 11 months, converted to community service, under a plea deal. Defense: Croatia joined a US Army marketplace for purchasing approved drones and counter-drone systems, as its president approved Croatian participation in NATO, EU and UN missions.

Serbia Dispute: Prime Minister Andrej Plenković dismissed Belgrade’s protest accusing Croatia of interfering in Serbia’s October 25 election as “complete nonsense.” Serbia objected to Croatian media coverage; Zagreb says it is not involved in the campaign. EU Enlargement: Croatia has set eight conditions for supporting Montenegro’s accession, using the membership process to press unresolved disputes. EU Budget: At a Brussels summit, Croatia joined 16 other “Friends of Cohesion” states in opposing proposed cuts to the next EU budget, as member states clashed over its size and priorities. Defence: Croatian drone-maker Orqa won a $38 million US military contract, while President Zoran Milanović approved Croatian participation in NATO, EU and UN missions.

Montenegro’s EU Bid: Croatia has set eight conditions for backing Montenegro’s accession, citing unresolved disputes including compensation for former Morinj camp detainees, missing people, war-crimes cases, property and the border. Zagreb says it wants to facilitate, not block, membership, but its approval is required for accession. Croatia-Serbia Tensions: Serbia has sent Croatia a protest note accusing it of interfering in Serbian elections and portraying the country’s politics unfairly. The dispute adds to strained relations amid Serbia’s prolonged anti-government protests. War Crimes and EU Values: The EU Committee of the Regions unanimously condemned the glorification of convicted war criminal Ratko Mladić in Serbia, following an initiative by Croatian members. It said such acts conflict with European values and Serbia’s EU ambitions.

EU Enlargement: Croatia has set eight conditions for Montenegro’s EU accession, tying several to rule-of-law and foreign-policy negotiations and saying disputes must be resolved before membership. Zagreb’s demands include issues dating to the 1990s wars. Defence: President Zoran Milanović approved continued Croatian participation in NATO, EU and UN missions in 2027–28, including a planned EU naval operation. Public Finances: Moody’s affirmed Croatia’s A3 rating, its highest-ever, with a stable outlook, citing lower public debt, economic growth and reforms while noting the need to manage the deficit. Nord Stream Trial: A Ukrainian former officer accused of helping sabotage the pipelines went on trial in Germany; another suspect arrested in Croatia is contesting extradition.

Government & EU: Prime Minister Andrej Plenković told Parliament Croatia supports EU enlargement, provided candidates meet the criteria, and highlighted support for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s European path. Waste Probe: A major investigation into alleged illegal hazardous-waste dumping in Gospić has led to about 20 arrests. At least 35,000 tonnes of waste were reportedly mislabelled, and tests found PFAS contamination in groundwater above legal limits. Domestic Policy: The government has proposed abolishing pension tax, while military-service obligations are drawing some young Croatian men into court.

Security: A Croatian Rafale intercepted and escorted a passenger plane after it transmitted a hijack code over Croatian airspace; the alert was later blamed on a radio malfunction, and the aircraft landed safely in Germany. Croatia also joined a U.S. Army drone and counter-drone marketplace, one of eight new partners. Diplomacy: China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi is due to visit Croatia from Oct. 14 to 20 during a regional tour that includes Azerbaijan, Montenegro and Bulgaria. Government & Law: The government has proposed abolishing pension tax, while young men are facing court proceedings over military-service obligations. Accountability: Croatia has expanded its probe into an alleged multimillion-euro toxic-waste scheme; separately, a minor has accused a Croatian priest of abuse and alleged that Cardinal Bozanić failed to report it.

Institutional Accountability: Zagreb police have opened a criminal investigation after the Archdiocese reported a priest accused of abusing a minor in 2021—only after a media inquiry this month. The priest was later reassigned as a parish vicar, according to the report. Cost of Living: Croatian rents jumped 40.1% from the second quarter of 2025 to the same period this year, the EU’s second-steepest rise, behind Romania. Government Policy: The government has proposed abolishing tax on pensions; separately, young men are ending up in court over military-service obligations. Environmental Oversight: Croatia has expanded a probe into an alleged multimillion-euro toxic-waste scheme, as concerns about waste management and industrial pollution remain in focus. Tourism and Diplomacy: Tourism Minister Tonči Glavina says Croatia wants year-round visitors rather than more peak-season growth, with carrying-capacity studies planned. China’s foreign minister Wang Yi is also due to visit Croatia as part of a four-country trip.

Waste-Crime Probe: Croatia’s anti-corruption office expanded its investigation into an alleged hazardous-waste dumping network, adding five suspects and three companies. The case now involves 14 people and four firms accused of illegally disposing of waste and falsifying records. Government: The cabinet proposed abolishing pension tax, while young men facing court over military-service obligations bring conscription rules into focus. Foreign Relations: China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi is due to visit Croatia from October 14 to 20, alongside stops in three other European countries. Croatia also joined 28 countries condemning alleged Iranian-backed attacks and covert activity. Bosnia and Herzegovina: After elections, Milorad Dodik and HDZ BiH leader Dragan Čović renewed their alliance, saying neither party would join a governing coalition without the other.

Pensions: The government has proposed ending income tax on pensions from 2027, a change affecting about 541,000 people but reducing local-government revenues by an estimated €180 million. Military Service: Young men, including secondary-school students, are facing court proceedings for missing medical examinations; some have been fined, while cases have also been dismissed over improperly delivered summonses. Diplomacy: China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi is due to visit Croatia from October 14 to 20 as part of a regional tour. Rijeka Infrastructure: A freight train derailment has shut the Zagreb–Rijeka railway and blocked the port’s main heavy-freight connection; repairs could take a week, with no suitable alternative route. Defence Industry: Croatian shipyard Iskra and South Korea’s HD Hyundai Heavy Industries have agreed to cooperate on shipbuilding, including possible projects for the Croatian Navy. Bosnia and Herzegovina: Coalition talks have begun, but parties still need to secure a parliamentary majority at state and federal levels.

Tourism Policy: At a WTTC summit in Malta, Croatian Tourism Minister Tonči Glavina argued against chasing more peak-season visitors. Croatia is pushing for growth guided by destination capacity and benefits to local communities. Energy: The government signed a €35 million grant agreement to develop geothermal wells in four areas, with a wider €86 million investment planned. Officials say the energy could heat homes and public buildings by 2030. Housing: New figures show about 2,000 people in Croatia are homeless and 15,000 more face inadequate or insecure housing. Shelters have only 450 places, prompting calls for better coordination and prevention. Infrastructure: Debate over Croatia’s expensive motorway tolls is intensifying, as drivers pay full rates despite lengthy roadworks and delays; the planned toll system has also encountered hurdles. Political Accountability: A Croatian MEP left her national party after friends and family attended an event at the European Parliament. Economy: Prime Minister Andrej Plenković says Croatia’s economy is set to exceed €100 billion for the first time.

Public Services: New figures put homelessness in Croatia at about 2,000 people, with another 15,000 in inadequate or insecure housing. Shelters have just 450 places, and researchers are urging better coordination among health, social welfare and local services. Energy Policy: The government has signed a €35 million grant agreement to develop geothermal wells near Velika Gorica, Osijek, Vinkovci and Zaprešić, with a wider €86 million investment aimed at heating public buildings and homes by 2030. Transport: Motorway users continue to pay full tolls through lengthy roadworks and delays, renewing scrutiny of high charges and the planned toll-collection system. Economy: Prime Minister Andrej Plenković says Croatia’s economy is set to exceed €100 billion for the first time. EU Politics: A Croatian MEP has stepped down from her national party after friends and relatives attended an event at the European Parliament.

Housing and Social Policy: About 2,000 people in Croatia are homeless and 15,000 more live in insecure or inadequate housing, according to figures presented in Zagreb. Shelters offer just 450 places; researchers called for better coordination across health, social and local services. Defense and Energy: South Korean National Assembly Speaker Cho Jeong-sik met President Zoran Milanović, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandroković in Zagreb to discuss cooperation. The talks follow a €477 million deal for Croatia to buy 18 Chunmoo rocket systems. Tourism: Croatia recorded 20.1 million arrivals and 104.9 million overnight stays through September, up 2% and 1% respectively year on year, the tourism minister said. Public Investment: The government approved €54.5 million for renovations at three major Split sports venues, part of a €72.7 million programme tied to preparations for the 2028 European Universities Games. Household Costs: Heating expenses are rising: firewood is about 10% costlier than last year, electricity 15% and heating oil 92%, while the latest gas price rise could add around €40 to an average annual bill.