Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković stated on Friday in Budapest that a peaceful solution for Ukraine must include the territorial integrity of the country as well as fundamental principles and values.

“If that peace includes the territorial integrity of Ukraine and embodies the core values and principles we stand by, then we are certainly positioned to reach a shared solution,” Plenković said upon arrival at the informal EU summit in Budapest.

After the European Political Community summit on Thursday evening, EU leaders gathered for a working dinner to discuss transatlantic relations following Donald Trump's election as U.S. president, security challenges, Russia's aggression against Ukraine, and the situation in Georgia.

Will Trump keep commitment to end war in Ukraine in 24 hours 

On Friday, EU leaders are discussing economic competitiveness. Trump stated clearly in his campaign that he would end the war in Ukraine in 24 hours, and many believe that this would involve a deal in which Ukraine would concede ground already lost to Russia since the war began. And Trump was certainly closer to Putin than President Biden has been over his term in office.

In fact, Putin was one of the first world leaders to congratulate Donald Trump on his win, calling him “a brave man” for his reaction after the assassination attempt back in July this year. Commentators have gone one step further stating that the Kremlin is overjoyed that Trump, who they see as an ally, has won the 2024 Presidential Election.

When asked whether the leaders of all member states share the view that peace in Ukraine must include the country’s territorial integrity, Plenković said that the majority agree.

“The vast majority believe there are certain foundations upon which the modern world is built—global governance, international law—and I think there’s no doubt about that. Anything else would be a departure from our own principles,” Plenković added.

Photo - X/Vlada

Orban and Zelensky clash 

He further noted that there is “broad commitment from all to continue giving strong support to Ukraine in all possible aspects, as has been done so far—politically, economically, financially, humanitarian-wise, and militarily.”

On Thursday, following the European Political Community summit, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held separate press conferences presenting entirely different views on the potential end of the war in Ukraine.

Orban stated that a ceasefire is necessary to allow space and time for the warring parties to communicate and begin peace negotiations. He noted that EU citizens are increasingly reluctant to finance the war and that Trump’s election as U.S. president has opened a new path to address this issue.

In a separate press conference, Zelensky called Orban’s proposals “dangerous and irresponsible.”

He emphasized that a ceasefire can only happen once war victims have security guarantees. “In this regard, Orban’s opposition to Ukraine joining NATO while simultaneously calling for a ceasefire is absurd,” Zelensky stated.

Before the start of the informal EU summit on Friday, Orban said that the EU must rethink its support for Ukraine after Trump’s election as U.S. president.

“Europe cannot finance this war alone. Some still want to continue sending vast sums of money into a lost war, but the number of those who are silent and cautiously argue that we need to adapt to the new situation is growing,” Orban said.

Dubrovnik has gained a true promenade stretching from Gruž to Babin Kuk, with an increasing number of locals enjoying leisurely strolls along this scenic route. The renovated and widened Lapad Coastline, already boasts greenery with newly planted mulberry trees, and soon Gruž’s waterfront will also be enriched with fresh vegetation.

In addition to plans to replace trees on the Boulevard in King Tomislav Street, a tree-lined pathway is set to be planted in Gruž next summer. The waterfront in Gruž will be undergoing renovations, and as part of these updates, new trees will be planted along the way.

The landscaping project is being led by Dubrovnik's Landa Studio. 

"The new tree line will consist of deciduous and evergreen species chosen for their adaptability to microclimatic and urban conditions along Ivana Pavla II Coast and Stjepana Radića Coast, divided into three zones," explained the studio. The first zone extends from the Solska Base to Lujo Šoletić Park, with minor upgrades planned and new trees planted within existing green areas. In front of the Solska Base, a new line of 12 Celtis australis (European nettle trees) will be planted as part of the second phase of work, aligned with ongoing infrastructure projects in that zone.

The European nettle tree was selected for its resilience to drought and urban conditions, as well as its positive ecological benefits such as carbon dioxide absorption and reduction of urban heat. Its dense canopy provides abundant shade, helping to lower city temperatures, especially in areas dominated by concrete and asphalt, noted Landa Studio.

During a high-level European Political Community meeting in Budapest, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković commented on various international issues, including the recent U.S. election results and changes in Germany’s political landscape.

Plenković noted that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s absence was significant. “Chancellor Scholz did not attend, which sends a message,” he observed. “I’ve been attending these meetings for eight years, and this is the first time that Germany’s Chancellor has been absent.”

Addressing questions about the U.S. election and the potential return of former President Donald Trump, Plenković emphasized that Croatia already has experience working with the Trump administration. “We’ve collaborated before and look forward to strengthening ties. There’s no concern or fear regarding the outcome,” Plenković remarked.

He also addressed Trump’s stance on NATO, specifically Trump’s comments that NATO should not protect member states contributing less than 2% of their GDP to defense. Plenković responded confidently, pointing to Croatia’s robust defense investments. “If anyone is investing in defense, it’s us. Under my mandate, we’ve invested in planes, tanks, drones—virtually every segment. For us, this is not an issue,” he asserted.

Reflecting on Croatia’s ties with the U.S., Plenković highlighted recent achievements, such as securing visa-free travel for Croatian citizens. “We resolved the visa waiver issue, and our defense collaboration is at its highest level. I believe we’ve raised our bilateral relationship to an unprecedented level,” he stated.

Chef Marijo Curić, the long-standing head chef of Dubrovnik’s Michelin-starred restaurant 360, has been recognized at the prestigious The Best Chef Awards in Dubai. For the eighth consecutive year, the event celebrated culinary excellence worldwide, with Chef Curić receiving an award in the “Excellent” category, alongside Chef Deni Srdoč from Neba in Rijeka.

This recognition is a testament to Chef Curić’s ongoing commitment to exceptional culinary craftsmanship. The "Excellent" category features chefs who scored 20 percent or more of the maximum points during judging, and this year, a total of 276 chefs earned a place in this elite group.

In a significant shift from previous years, the The Best Chef Awards introduced a new ranking system designed to provide a more inclusive and understandable perspective on global culinary talent. The new approach categorizes chefs based on their skills and places them into three distinct performance tiers. This year’s awards featured a total of 550 chefs from around the world, showcasing the diversity and quality of talent in the global culinary scene.

Chef Curić’s inclusion in this esteemed group highlights his continued dedication to excellence and innovation in the kitchen, reinforcing Dubrovnik’s status as a premier destination for fine dining. As the Michelin star holder at Restaurant 360, his culinary achievements have garnered international acclaim, and this latest award is a further recognition of his remarkable career.

The new ranking system promises to provide an even clearer and more inclusive picture of culinary excellence, making it easier for food enthusiasts and professionals to identify the chefs shaping the future of global gastronomy.

Dubrovnik Airport is on track to achieve a record-breaking year, with passenger numbers steadily climbing towards an unprecedented 3 million. October proved to be a milestone month, with 307,527 passengers passing through Croatia’s southernmost airport—a notable increase from 242,752 in October 2023 and 217,751 in October 2022. This October’s figures push the total number of passengers in 2024 to nearly 2.9 million, already surpassing the 2.4 million total recorded for all of last year.

In 2019, the airport reached its previous high with a total of 2.9 million passengers, marking the peak of Dubrovnik’s tourism boom. Now, as the industry recovers post-pandemic, Dubrovnik Airport looks set to surpass even that record, which highlights the city’s resurgence as a premier tourist destination in Europe. With a steady stream of travellers and enhanced connectivity to key European hubs, the airport is poised to reach and possibly exceed the 3 million passenger milestone by the end of this year.

Part of Dubrovnik Airport’s success in 2024 can be attributed to new routes and increased frequency of flights. As the winter season approaches, Dubrovnik Airport has worked to extend its traditionally seasonal traffic into the colder months. Leading low-cost carrier Ryanair has introduced flights to three winter destinations, including London, which will sustain visitor traffic and further bolster passenger numbers. This extended connectivity through the winter, typically a quieter period, could play a crucial role in helping the airport achieve its best year on record.

With this momentum, Dubrovnik Airport is not only positioned to surpass its own records but is also setting a new standard for off-season tourism in the region. Enhanced air connections, including more frequent flights to popular destinations, are poised to sustain this trend, cementing Dubrovnik’s reputation as a year-round travel destination. All eyes are now on the final two months of 2024, as Dubrovnik Airport continues its upward trajectory.

Due to the LUMIART 2024 Light Festival organized by the Dubrovnik Tourist Board, public lighting will be turned off in areas from Pile Gate, along the entire Stradun, and in front of Sponza Palace, Rector's Palace, and Držić Square.

On Thursday, November 7, lighting will be turned off from 10:30 p.m. for technical rehearsals and equipment setup. During the festival, from Friday, November 8 to Sunday, November 10, lighting will be turned off from 6:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

The city will be illuminated by light projections and interactive installations, with regular public lighting turned off, so please exercise extra caution when moving around the city during the event.

The complete festival program, including all locations, can be found at www.lumiart-dubrovnik.com.

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The Mayor of Dubrovnik, Mato Franković, participated via Zoom in the "Cities of Media and Information Literacy" panel, held as part of the twelfth session of the World Urban Forum in Cairo, Egypt.

This year’s Forum emphasizes the crucial role of local actions in addressing sustainable urban development challenges, such as affordable housing, climate change adaptation, essential public services, and the impact of rising living costs. In this context, Mayor Franković shared Dubrovnik's experiences.

"Education and citizen involvement are key to our city’s future. We are proud that our residents actively participate in decision-making for Dubrovnik’s future," stated Mayor Franković.

Discussing future plans for media and information literacy, he highlighted the transformation of the former TUP factory into a new urban cultural and social hub. This includes a Center for Children, Youth, and Families and the construction of a large new public library, which will provide spaces for these initiatives.

The Forum, themed "It All Starts at Home: Local Actions for Sustainable Cities and Communities," officially opened this week in Cairo, gathering over 37,000 participants from 182 countries, marking it as the largest World Urban Forum session in history.

"In times when misinformation is one of the greatest threats, we educate our citizens to actively engage and contribute to sustainability through practical urban initiatives. Transparency is the foundation of trust, which is why we’ve digitized city systems so that all residents can monitor public spending at any time. Since UNESCO's warning in 2015, Dubrovnik has come a long way. Today, we are among the top cities frequently highlighted as a must-visit destination. It’s a challenging process, but I deeply believe it’s the only path to real success — because only cities with engaged citizens are truly vibrant cities," concluded Mayor Franković.

Alongside Mayor Franković, the UN and UNESCO panel featured Dr. Mariani Yanti, Head of Culture and Tourism in Jambi, Indonesia; Nataļia Vecvagare, International Policy Advisor for the Baltic Countries from Latvia; Marjo Kyllönen, Director of Education for the City of Helsinki, Finland; Dr. Foad Helmy, Planning and Institutional Development Consultant from Egypt’s National Research and Development Center; and Jeff Nyoka, Head of E-Learning Services at the City of Johannesburg Libraries in South Africa.