Croatian Foreign Minister Miomir Žužul, as a member of the Croatian delegation led by Prime Minister Ivo Sanader, met today in Lisbon with Portuguese Foreign Minister Maria Teresa Pinto Basto Gouveia
Minister Gouveia congratulated Minister Žužul and expressed her satisfaction with Croatia’s international success – the receiving of the EU membership candidate status and setting of the date for the start of the membership negotiations. Both ministers described the bilateral relations between Croatia and Portugal as excellent.
Minister Žužul thanked the Portuguese foreign minister for the support and expressed his hope that Croatia will continue to receive Portugal’s support, especially in approaching NATO. Žužul pointed out that Croatia and Portugal are in many respects very much alike, and that there is mutual interest for the enhancement of the relations in all fields and on all levels.
Ministers Žužul and Gouveia also discussed the situation in the region of Southeast Europe, concluding that Europe’s recognition to Croatia is an important element and a message for the whole region, in which Croatia has an increasingly important role in stabilising the relations between countries, and is a stable and reliable partner of the EU in the region.
Minister Žužul invited Minister Gouveia to pay an official visit to Croatia this year, which the Portuguese minister gladly accepted. On that occasion, Minister Gouveia will be accompanied by the Portuguese economic delegation, as the ministers judged that it is the economic aspect of the relations that needs most strengthening, followed by the cultural exchange and cultural relations.
Ministers Žužul and Gouveia reviewed the possibility of signing bilateral agreements, and agreed that during Minister Gouveia’s visit to Croatia a Memorandum on co-operation between Croatian and Portuguese Foreign Ministries be signed in Zagreb.
Press releases
