- Published: 25.01.2022.
Croatia, Hungary mark 30 years of diplomatic relations
Grlić Radman highlighted Hungary’s strong support in the toughest moments during the gaining of independence and the Homeland War. He also recalled that it had been during Hungarian EU presidency in 2011 that Croatia wrapped up its accession talks.
The minister underlined that as member states of the EU, NATO and many other international organisations, Croatia and Hungary successfully cooperated in various areas, both bilaterally and multilaterally. He added that Hungary was one of Croatia’s most important economic and trade partners, and that a large number of Hungarian tourists visited Croatia each year.
In addition, Grlić Radman commended the two countries’ cooperation in the fight against COVID-19 and thanked Hungary for the assistance after the two devastating earthquakes that had struck Croatia in 2020. He also reflected on other areas of cooperation, highlighting the cultural and defence cooperation as well as cooperation in the protection of national minority rights. The minister said he was confident Croatia and Hungary would continue to support EU enlargement, adding that Croatia was counting on Hungary’s support during the final stages of Schengen accession.
“There are many areas and projects of cooperation linking our two states. I believe that we will continue to build and deepen our ties and our successful cooperation on key topics where only together can we achieve the best results,” Grlić Radman stressed.
The two ministers exchanged views on Europe’s future challenges, agreeing that Southeast Europe’s stability, prosperity and European prospects are important for both countries. They emphasized that Croatia and Hungary supported enlargement as a building block for the stability of our neighbourhood and Europe as a whole. Grlić Radman added that Croatia shares its longest border with Bosnia and Herzegovina and that the situation in the country is one of the most important questions for Croatia.
“We hope that the constructive efforts from all involved will yield election reform that will ensure equality and political legitimacy for all three constituent peoples of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Croatia is a friend and partner; it is on our interest that Bosnia and Herzegovina is functioning successfully,” he underlined.
On the occasion of 30 years of Croatia-Hungary diplomatic relations, a joint concert will be held tonight at the Budapest Opera House by orchestras and soloists of the Croatian National Theatre and the Hungarian State Opera, following last week’s joint concert in Osijek.