State Secretary Zdenko Lucić attends FAC Trade

State Secretary for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Zdenko Lucić participated in the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Trade format on 22 May 2026.

The agenda focused on two key topics: economic security and the impact of the conflict in the Middle East on trade, as well as the reform of the World Trade Organization and follow-up activities after the 14th Ministerial Conference, held in Cameroon in March this year.

Given that current geopolitical developments are placing significant pressure on the global trading environment, the meeting provided an opportunity to discuss the main challenges facing the economies of EU Member States.

Lucić emphasized the importance of strengthening and expanding energy partnerships, diversifying supply chains, establishing alternative transport routes, and increasing energy storage capacities, highlighting Croatia's LNG terminal on the island of Krk in this context. He also advocated a pragmatic approach and more constructive engagement with partners and the business community.

Despite the unsatisfactory outcome of the WTO's 14th Ministerial Conference, ministers reiterated their strong commitment to the multilateral trading system. They agreed that the EU should continue to play a constructive and leading role within the WTO and exchanged views on advancing the EU's key priorities, including WTO reform and the extension of the moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions.

The state of trade negotiations was discussed during the working lunch.

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