Angela Merkel meets tourists on the Stradun

The German Chancellor and one of the most powerful women in the world has arrived in Dubrovnik. Angela Merkel took her first steps through the Old City and was more than happy to shake hands with a group of Spanish tourists. Under a cordon of tight security, which has seen roads closed and snipers of roofs, Merkel arrived in Dubrovnik directly from Brazil where she saw the German national team win the 2014 World Cup.Germany’s leading lady will take part in a congress in the Rectors’s Palace in the heart of the Old City entitled “Brdo-Brijuni Process” which gathers leaders of southeast European countries. In total eight presidents of the region will attend the congress as well as foreign ministers from all over Europe. The French President, Francois Hollande, attended the last such meeting held in Slovenia on the 25th July 2013. The topics of the meeting in Dubrovnik are the political situation in the region, the enlargement of the European Union, infrastructure projects and energy. For the Dubrovnik region one of the most interesting themes will be the completion of the Adriatic – Ionian motorway which has stopped near to Ploce an hour’s drive from Dubrovnik.It is believed that the German Chancellor, who is the as a guest of honour of the congress, will only spend a few hours in Dubrovnik. After the congress she will give a joint press conference with Croatian President, Ivo Jospiovic. The meeting is being followed by around 140 local and foreign journalists. The Mayor of Dubrovnik, Andro Vlahušić, escorted Merkel through the Old City to the Rector’s Palace.