Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković spoke out today regarding the cancellation of the Brdo-Brijuni Process meeting, triggered by inflammatory and baseless statements from Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić. Plenković emphasized that Vučić’s accusations are built on completely false premises.
“Let President Milanović explain his decisions himself. As for Vučić, he makes so many reckless statements that it’s hard to keep track,” Plenković told reporters in Zagreb.
When asked about Vučić’s claim that Croatia interfered in Serbian elections, Plenković strongly rejected the allegation. “There are two false notions fueling Vučić’s rhetoric: first, that Croatia meddles in Serbia’s internal politics and supposedly orchestrated an ‘Orange Revolution’; second, that Croatia is forming a military alliance with Albania and Kosovo against Serbia. Both claims are entirely false. Vučić is spreading misinformation and trying to manipulate the narrative,” he said after a meeting of the Croatian Democratic Union leadership.
Regarding Vučić’s claim that he discussed this alleged alliance with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Plenković refused to engage. “Why would I comment on Vučić’s statements? I don’t have time for his provocations,” he said.
The Croatian President’s Office confirmed that Milanović canceled the Brdo-Brijuni Process meeting because Vučić’s presence in Croatia is currently unacceptable.
“The political provocations and destabilizing statements from President Vučić in recent days directly undermine the purpose of the Brdo-Brijuni Process. They threaten interstate relations and the stability of Southeast Europe,” the statement said.
Milanović concluded that Vučić cannot attend the meeting, which Croatia was scheduled to host in May. Initiated by Croatia and Slovenia as EU members, the Brdo-Brijuni Process aims to strengthen cooperation and accelerate European integration in Southeast Europe. Participating heads of state have been notified, and the next meeting will be scheduled when conditions allow, following consultations between Milanović and Slovenian President Nataša Pirc-Musar.
