Speech by Commissioner Kadis at the 5th Croatian Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Days, delivered via video message

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

First of all, I would like to thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak to you via this video message.

The 5^th Croatian Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Days is an excellent opportunity to highlight the positive and close cooperation with Croatia within the EUs fisheries policy framework.

Just three weeks ago, I visited Croatia for the first time in my official capacity, where I was able to see the positive impact of EU funded projects around Split and Zadar and met representatives from the local fisheries and aquaculture sectors. I also had the honour of meeting with Prime Minister Plenković and exchange views on our mutual commitment to supporting these sectors.

I am always happy to see and meet the people supported by EU funds and the challenges they face. Learning the lessons from the reality on the ground and in the water, helps us make more efficient and effective policies. This is particularly important now, as the Commission is currently evaluating the Common Fisheries Policy Regulation.

Deepening our understanding of the issues at stake was also a key element in the development of the European Ocean Pact, which we announced earlier this year, with a view to better protect the ocean, promote a thriving blue economy and support the well-being of people living in coastal areas.

We work tirelessly in cooperation and collaboration with governments in the Member States to design, implement and assess the effectiveness of our shared policies and initiatives. With Croatia, for example, we have worked to bring Adriatic fish stocks closer to their long-term sustainability and maximum productive capacity and ensure the profitability of the fisheries and the income of coastal communities, particularly on the Croatian islands.

Croatia is also making good use of EU funding, as I saw for myself during my visit.  As we begin discussions on the next long-term EU budget, I am happy to confirm that this financial support will continue for years to come. More flexible financing rules will allow Croatia to invest even more in the fisheries and aquaculture sector, the sustainable development of coastal and inland communities and marine conservation and restoration.

Concluding, I would like to warmly congratulate the organisers of the 5^th Croatian Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Days. I look forward to our continued cooperation and facing together the future challenges in the Adriatic and the Mediterranean.