Croatia, Ukraine further strengthening bilateral relations

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Marija Pejčinović Burić met with the Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Marija Pejčinović Burić met with the Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze. Earlier in the day, Klympush-Tsintsadze met with Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, who underlined the importance of further strengthening bilateral relations between Croatia and Ukraine.

Pejčinović Burić reiterated that Croatia supported Ukraine on its European journey by providing operational and technical assistance as well as transferring experience. She praised Ukraine’s progress in implementing reforms which, despite the difficult security situation and challenges, are going well and bringing Ukraine closer to Euro-Atlantic integration.

Pejčinović Burić and Klympush-Tsintsadze expressed satisfaction with the cooperation within the working group for Croatia-Ukraine cooperation, the work of the Joint Commission for Economic Cooperation, as well as the positive trend in trade and tourism, which is evident in the growing number of Ukrainian tourists visiting Croatia. Pejčinović Burić said that Croatian companies were interested in doing business in Ukraine, notably in the IT, energy, pharmaceutical and chemical industries, as well as other sectors of the economy.

The two officials also discussed the security situation in Ukraine and its surroundings. They expressed concern about the current situation in the Sea of Azov and the Strait of Kerch, Russian activities and the further escalation of tensions, which has resulted in the injuring and imprisonment of Ukrainian seamen, the blockade of Ukrainian seaports, and the prevention of maritime traffic.

Pejčinović Burić called for exercising restraint, respecting international law and preventing further escalation. She emphasized that Croatia continued to strongly support the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders.

 

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