Former Croatian President Ivo Josipovic has hailed China as an excellent partner, highlighting strong potential for deeper, mutually beneficial cooperation between China and the European Union.
This year marks the beginning of China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), a national blueprint guiding the country's economic and social development over the next five years.
The plan, approved by the country's highest legislature, calls on China to "unswervingly expand high-level opening up and promote high-quality development," pledging continued support for cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and deeper integration with Global South partners.
In an interview with China Media Group (CMG) on Sunday in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, Josipovic lauded the plan as a signal of China's continued commitment to its opening-up policy, which he said will create fresh opportunities for cooperation between China and Croatia and other European countries.
"It's a very ambitious project, definitely. It demonstrates continuation of the policy of opening. That's very important. Of course, there's the possibility for Croatia to be included more and more in the One Belt One Road project (Belt and Road Initiative) or some other projects with China. What's very important, I always stress, Chinese projects, international projects are always based on win-win principles. That's very important because some other big countries do not follow that type of principle, and of course, it makes China a more attractive partner than possibly some others," said Josipovic.
China was among the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Croatia. In recent years, bilateral ties have continued to gain momentum, with high-quality cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative delivering remarkable achievements, exemplified by landmark projects such as the Peljesac Bridge and the Senj Wind Farm project.
Regarding the worry among some European politicians over China's growing economic influence, Josipovic said that such concerns should not overshadow the great potential for mutually beneficial cooperation.
"It's a great opportunity for China, but also for European Union, for European countries. And I think that it's very important that [it will sweep] away fear on China, because there are some politicians who are afraid that China will cover everything. No, China is an excellent partner. That's very important. Politicians are afraid that the excellent position of China and the good products from China can [do] damage to the European economy. But if all rules are followed, I think the result will be positive for both sides, for Europe and for China, because there are some areas in which China is better and the others, the European Union is better. So, we can take advantage of both sides and make a much better partnership today," said Josipovic.
Former Croatian president hails China as excellent partner, calling for deeper China-EU cooperation
