United for a Europe of Peace in Zagreb and Karlovac

From 22 to 24 October 2026, the Croatian Pan-European Union organised the international conference “United for a Europe of Peace” in Zagreb and Karlovac, in cooperation with the International Pan-European Union and the Academic Association “Dr Ante Starčević”.

The conference opened on 22 October at the Croatian State Archives in Zagreb. The programme was moderated by Vanja Gavran, Secretary-General of the International Pan-European Union and the Croatian Pan-European Union. In his opening remarks, he recalled the 35-year history of the Croatian Pan-European Union and the peace legacy of John Paul II, emphasising the importance of a sustained commitment to peace.

Pavo Barišić, President of the International Pan-European Union and the Croatian Pan-European Union, warned that peace is difficult to establish and even harder to preserve. Against the backdrop of international divisions and transatlantic tensions, he called for Europe to take greater responsibility for its own security, strengthen its defence and accelerate the enlargement of the European Union. He stressed the importance of shared European values, cooperation and mutual understanding, recalling the contributions to peace made by Robert Schuman and Konrad Adenauer.

Dinko Čutura, President of the Academic Association “Dr Ante Starčević”, emphasised that preserving peace requires courage, dialogue and cooperation, as well as respect for democracy, the rule of law and human dignity.

The opening ceremony also featured Aleksandra Markić Boban, Director of the Zagreb Office of the Hanns Seidel Foundation, and Norbert Eschborn, Director of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation for Croatia and Slovenia.

A message from Alain Terrenoire, Honorary President of the International Pan-European Union, was read out. In his letter, he appealed to the European Council and to Andrej Plenković, as its longest-serving member, to “call on the peoples of Europe and their governments to awaken together and take decisive action”.

In a video message, European Commissioner Dubravka Šuica stressed the need for strong cooperation and shared responsibility in preserving peace and strengthening stability.

Marko Pavić, Member of the Croatian Parliament and representative of its President, Gordan Jandroković, highlighted the value of Croatia’s experience of transition and its support for the European aspirations of Ukraine, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and other Western Balkan countries.

The first panel, “A United Europe on a Mission for Peace”, was moderated by Pavao Nujić, President of the Osijek Branch of the Croatian Pan-European Union. The panellists were Gordana Đurović, President of the Montenegrin Pan-European Union; Franjo Topić, President of the Pan-European Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina; Emilio Marin, President of the Croatian Diplomatic Club; Zlatko Kramarić, Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia to the Republic of Albania; and Mislav Ježić, Honorary President of the Croatian Pan-European Union.

The first day of the conference concluded with a musical programme and dinner for the participants, featuring Arijana Gigliani Philipp, soprano; Jurica Jurasić Kapun, baritone; and Ivan Batoš, piano.

In Karlovac, the programme continued at the Edison Cinema Hall. Welcoming addresses were delivered by Pavo Barišić, President of the International Pan-European Union and the Croatian Pan-European Union; Damir Mandić, Mayor of Karlovac; and Ivana Hajsan Dolinar, Deputy County Prefect. The session was moderated by Ivan Perković, President of the Karlovac Branch of the Croatian Pan-European Union.

The highlight of the conference was the presentation of the Pan-European Medal of the German Pan-European Union to Andrej Plenković, Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia. Among the previous recipients of the award were Franz Josef Strauß, Helmut Kohl, Otto von Habsburg, Jean-Claude Juncker, Manfred Weber, Hans-Gert Pöttering, Elmar Brok and Joachim Gauck.

The award was presented by Bernd Posselt, President of the German Pan-European Union. In his laudation, he highlighted the different roles Andrej Plenković had held throughout his life and professional career, which he had come to know over the years: a young diplomat who guided Croatia towards the European Union, a fellow Member of the European Parliament with whom he had sat side by side, and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, now the longest-serving head of government among the European Union’s Member States. He emphasised Plenković’s knowledge of parliamentary affairs and recalled his role in Croatia’s accession to the euro area and the Schengen Area. He also recalled that, as Chair of the European Parliament’s Delegation for Ukraine, Plenković was among the first to stand by that country. “Andrej Plenković is a fighter for Europe and a fighter for freedom,” Posselt declared.

In his speech, Andrej Plenković addressed the current challenges facing Europe, the European Union’s position in its relations with the United States, Russia and China, and the consequences of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. He identified migration and demography as key issues for Europe’s future. “The European project is above all a project of peace, solidarity and mutual respect.” He emphasised the role of the Pan-European Union in overcoming the Iron Curtain, Croatia’s accession to the European Union, and efforts to build a European federation capable of standing its ground and asserting itself in an increasingly dangerous world.

Pavo Barišić, President of the International Pan-European Union and the Croatian Pan-European Union, emphasised that the Croatian Pan-European Union was proud to count Andrej Plenković among its members and that he promotes Pan-European principles through his work in the Croatian Government and European institutions. He recalled that Plenković’s first international public appearance after taking office as Prime Minister, in October 2016, had taken place at a Pan-European conference in Zagreb and Karlovac.

The second panel, “The European Union as a Peace Project”, was moderated by Doris Šimundić, Vice-President of the Youth of the Croatian Pan-European Union. The panellists were Karlo Ressler and Davor Ivo Stier, Members of the European Parliament.

The third panel, “Pan-Europe on World Peace”, was moderated by Ilija Šušak, a member of the Youth of the Croatian Pan-European Union. Participants included Andrej Lepavcov, President of the Macedonian Pan-European Union; Genc Pollo, President of the Pan-European Union of Albania; Rainhard Kloucek, President of the Pan-European Movement Austria; Carlos Uriarte Sánchez, President of the Pan-European Union of Spain; Joseph M. Burza, President of the Pan-European Union of Slovakia; and Andrei Crigan, representative of the Bilateral Chamber of Commerce and Industry Republic of Moldova–Romania. A letter from Éric Campion, President of the French Pan-European Union, was also read out.

The discussion “Young People United for a Europe of Peace” focused on the role of young people in shaping Europe’s future and preserving peace. It was moderated by Marija Barić Đurđević, Vice-President of the Youth of the Croatian Pan-European Union. Participants included Anastasiia Hatsenko, President of the Youth of the Pan-European Union of Ukraine; Nathan Doude van Troostwijk, representative of the Youth of the Belgian Pan-European Union; Rudolf Jürgens, President of the Youth of the German Pan-European Union; Petar Raičević, representative of the Youth of the Montenegrin Pan-European Union; Anna-Maria Chrystoph, representative of the Youth of the Pan-European Movement Austria; and David Princ, representative of the Youth of the Pan-European Union of Spain.

The programme of visits to Karlovac’s landmarks included the Croatian Homeland War Museum, the Nikola Tesla Experience Centre and the National Shrine of St Joseph. The day concluded with a formal dinner at Dubovac Castle.

On Saturday, a coordination meeting of the Youth of the International Pan-European Union was held at the Hotel Astoria in Zagreb.

The conference participants adopted the Declaration, which is attached.

Programme (EN) (PDF)
Declaration (EN) (PDF)