Croatia, Italy to declare exclusive economic zone in Adriatic

The Croatian government on Monday adopted a draft decision to declare an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the Adriatic Sea.

Foreign Minister Gordan Grlic-Radman explained at the government session that Croatia had reached an understanding with Italy and Slovenia, two other European Union (EU) member states with coasts on the Adriatic. He noted that Croatia and Italy will formally declare an EEZ in January 2021, after a trilateral meeting with Slovenia.

In November, the foreign ministers of Croatia and Italy met in Zagreb and agreed on declaring an EEZ in the Adriatic together. The EEZ will remain part of the EU’s common waters and the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) which will continue to set rules for the European fishing fleets.

The Croatian parliament is expected to confirm the government decision this week at an extraordinary session.