Presidency of the Council of the European Union

Croatian Presidency of the Council of the European Union

Logo of the 2020 Croatian presidency 1 January – 30 June 2020 Council of the European Union Website https://eu2020.hr Presidency trio

• Romania
• Finland
• Croatia

← 2019 Finland

2020 Germany →

Croatia took its turn at the helm of the Council of the European Union – a rotational duty, mind you, not some grand aspiration – during the first half of 2020. This period, from January 1st to June 30th, was formally known in Croatian as Hrvatsko predsjedanje Vijećem Europske unije, though the more digestible acronyms EU2020HR and HRPRES 2020 were, predictably, more commonly used. It was, for what it’s worth, the culmination of a “presidency trio,” a rather bureaucratic dance that began with Romania and continued with Finland .

This particular six-month stint marked a historical, if perhaps begrudgingly accepted, first for Croatia. Having only acceded to the European Union in 2013, the country was, in essence, handed the keys to a rather complex and increasingly volatile vehicle for the first time. One might imagine the pressure, or at least the mild inconvenience.

The period of Croatia’s presidency was, to put it mildly, eventful. The United Kingdom finally managed its exit from the European Union – a spectacle that had been dragging on for years, much like a bad avant-garde play. Simultaneously, the world, and by extension the European Union , found itself grappling with the nascent stages of the coronavirus outbreak . What began as a distant concern rapidly escalated into a full-blown global pandemic by March, effectively hijacking any meticulously laid plans and forcing the Croatian presidency to adapt to a reality far more chaotic than any strategic document could have predicted.

Identity

In a display of foresight, or perhaps just standard procedure, the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs in Croatia initiated a public design competition back in 2018. The aim, as these things often are, was to craft a distinctive visual identity for the upcoming Presidency. This rather significant creative endeavor was orchestrated through the Croatian Designers Association, ensuring, one presumes, a certain level of artistic merit.

The winning submission, rather aptly titled “Typographic Chessboard,” presented a concept that, according to its creators, resonated with the multifaceted nature of the task at hand. The design ingeniously utilized the relative positioning of letters and numbers to evoke the familiar grid of a chessboard, forming the acronym “EU2020HR.” The color palette was equally deliberate: a deep, authoritative blue to represent the overarching Council of the European Union , contrasted with a vibrant red, unequivocally symbolizing Croatia itself. The squares, a recurring motif, were intended to convey the “multidimensionality and complexity of this project and the content it communicates,” a phrase that likely sounds more profound in a design brief than in casual conversation. Furthermore, they were meant to symbolize the “common Croatian and European cultural, social and political journey through the past, present and future,” which is quite a lot for a few squares to carry, but one must appreciate the ambition.

Priorities

Before the world decided to throw a wrench into everyone’s meticulously crafted plans, the Prime Minister of Croatia , Andrej Plenković , outlined the presidency’s four main priorities. This unveiling took place at a conference rather optimistically titled “A strong Europe in a world of challenges,” held on October 30, 2019, within the rather grand confines of the National and University Library in Zagreb . These pillars of ambition were articulated as follows:

• A Europe that develops: This priority, predictably, focused on fostering economic growth, innovation, and sustainable development across the Union. It aimed to strengthen the internal market, promote digitalization, and ensure a smooth transition to a climate-neutral economy, a goal that always sounds more straightforward on paper.
• A Europe that connects: Emphasizing the importance of infrastructure and connectivity, this pillar sought to enhance physical and digital links between member states. This included advancing projects in transport, energy, and digital networks, fostering a more integrated and accessible European Union .
• A Europe that protects: This priority was dedicated to safeguarding the security and well-being of EU citizens. It encompassed strengthening external border control, enhancing cooperation in justice and home affairs, and building resilience against various threats, from cyberattacks to natural disasters.
• An influential Europe: The final priority aimed to bolster the European Union ’s role on the global stage. This involved advocating for multilateralism, promoting European values, and strengthening partnerships with key international actors, essentially positioning the EU as a significant and respected global player.

One can almost hear the collective sigh of relief from policymakers that these priorities were established before the truly challenging “world of challenges” decided to show up.

Overview

Leading up to the official handover, a series of preparatory work conferences were diligently held across various Croatian cities. Ministers from the Government of Croatia presided over these meetings in locations such as Split , Rijeka , Osijek , and Varaždin , laying the groundwork for what was anticipated to be a rigorous, if somewhat predictable, six months.

The presidency itself was formally inaugurated on January 9, 2020. This grand occasion involved a joint assembly of both members of the Croatian Government and the Council of the European Union , followed by a cultural flourish in the form of a concert at the historic Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb . The very next day, the architectural marvel that is the Congress Hall of the National and University Library played host to a press conference featuring Prime Minister of Croatia Andrej Plenković and the President of the European Commission , Ursula von der Leyen . The air, at that point, was still thick with the usual optimistic rhetoric and strategic pronouncements.

At the dawn of its presidency, Croatia had two particularly pressing issues on its agenda, like two ill-fitting shoes it had to wear. The first was the impending and rather messy departure of the United Kingdom from the European Union – the infamous Brexit . The second, and arguably more complex long-term endeavor, involved navigating the intricate negotiations with various Balkan countries that harbored a persistent, if sometimes quixotic, interest in joining the European Union . These were formidable tasks, no doubt, requiring delicate diplomacy and a certain tolerance for bureaucratic inertia.

However, as the first quarter of the year progressed, the best-laid plans of mice and presidencies were, as often happens, irrevocably altered. The burgeoning coronavirus pandemic swiftly forced the Croatian presidency into an abrupt and rather unwelcome “crisis mode.” While the initial response across the European Union was, admittedly, characterized by a somewhat disjointed and fragmented approach – a predictable outcome when every nation suddenly remembers its sovereign borders – the crisis eventually spurred a degree of collective action. The EU, under the shadow of the pandemic, managed to coalesce around several critical common goals. This included the rather impressive logistical feat of repatriating over 500,000 European Union citizens who found themselves stranded in various corners of the globe. Furthermore, the presidency saw the crucial formulation and proposal of a monumental coronavirus relief package , a financial lifeline worth hundreds of billions of euros , aimed at mitigating the devastating economic fallout. It seems nothing quite brings people together like a shared existential threat, or at least the prospect of financial ruin. The initial priorities, while still theoretically relevant, were largely overshadowed by the immediate, overwhelming demands of a global health crisis.

Cultural events

In a more tranquil timeline, dozens of cultural events were meticulously planned to coincide with and celebrate Croatia ’s presidency . These events, primarily concerts , theatre plays , and exhibitions showcasing the talents of Croatian artists, were intended to be staged across various EU member countries. It was a commendable effort to project Croatian culture onto the European stage, a soft power play in the grand scheme of things.

Among the notable highlights of this ambitious cultural calendar were performances by the renowned LADO National Folk Songs and Dances Ensemble , an entity that embodies the vibrant spirit of Croatian heritage. Audiences were also slated to enjoy the refined sounds of The Zagreb Soloists , the elegant harmonies of the Zagreb Quartet , and the rich textures of the Croatian Baroque Ensemble. For cinephiles, a Retrospective of Croatian Film Classics promised a journey through the nation’s cinematic legacy. Art enthusiasts could look forward to the exhibition “Zagreb - Budapest” at the venerable Hungarian National Museum , offering a cross-cultural dialogue. Furthermore, guest performances by the esteemed Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb were planned, ensuring that the theatrical arts were well represented. One can only speculate on how many of these carefully arranged cultural exchanges ultimately succumbed to the pervasive cancellations and restrictions imposed by the pandemic, a silent casualty of a world preoccupied with more immediate, biological threats.

Gallery

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  The National and University Library in Zagreb during the presidency, featuring the presidency’s logo on its windows

See also

• Croatia and the European Union