The United Kingdom played an active role in Europe Week activities across Croatia, which concluded on 9 May in Zagreb’s Petar Preradović Square, also known as ‘Flower Square’. The UK and several other EU embassies were present on the Square that day to introduce Zagrebians to their respective countries. The UK’s stand offered information on Chevening scholarships, as well as a host of other brochures about education.

Ambassador David Blunt took part and greeted Croatia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration (MVPEI), Mr. Gordan Jandroković, who visited all EU stands at the Square.

As part of the EU Bus Tour, Ambassador Blunt also visited the Slavonian town of Vinkovci on 8 May, in what was perhaps the highlight of the tour. The stop in Vinkovci was part of a live programme by the national broadcaster, HRT. Ambassador Blunt addressed the HRT viewership directly from the main square, standing close to a genuine London telephone booth. Previously, the EU ambassadors talked to secondary school students, local leadership and the area’s entrepreneurs about the importance of EU membership and possible projects, in the town’s main secondary school. The UK delegation showed a HRT programme on renewable energy sources and facilitated a presentation on the issue by a Chevening scholar, Marko Pavić.

Earlier during the tour, the UK Deputy Head of Mission, Chris Hodge, visited the northern town of Čakovec and took part in a presentation to local students, after earlier addressing the citizens in the centre of town.

Europe Week, organised by the Delegation of the EC to Croatia and EU member states, began on 28 April. It is intended to inform Croatian citizens of the EU and to celebrate the anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, which was the first step to European unification. Project partners included the Croatian MVPEI and local authorities. This year, there was a special focus on creativity and innovation, for which the EU wants to create a suitable environment.

Many cultural, entertainment, informative and professional events took place in Supetar, Knin, Opatija, Krapina, Karlovac, Koprivnica, Virovitica and the already mentioned towns and cities. This was the 10th EU tour in Croatia.