ZAGREB, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, whose country is to take over the six-month rotating European Union (EU) presidency on Jan. 1, 2020, said here on Tuesday that everything was ready for the demanding task awaiting Croatia.
"Croatia, as chair, will make every effort to reach an agreement on the EU's multiannual financial framework as soon as possible," Plenkovic said.
The European People's Party (EPP), the largest and oldest political group in the European Parliament, will hold its 2019 Congress in Zagreb on Nov. 20-21.
On Tuesday, Plenkovic met with EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier and the outgoing President of European Council Donald Tusk.
Tusk tweeted on Tuesday, saying "the Croatian EU Presidency will do its best to restore EU unity on enlargement and engage positively with the Western Balkans. I remain an optimist and keep my fingers crossed for a successful #ZagrebSummit."
Tusk is the sole candidate for the leadership of the EPP, to replace incumbent President Joseph Daul.
Outgoing President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker and his successor Ursula von der Leyen will also be attending the EPP congress.
The EPP is the center-right, pro-European political party which gathers over 70 national parties from 40 countries.
