FM Grlić Radman visits Austria

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman 13 September 2019 paid a working visit to Austria, where he met with his Austrian counterpart Alexander Schallenberg

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman 13 September 2019 paid a working visit to Austria, where he met with his Austrian counterpart Alexander Schallenberg. The two ministers underscored Croatia and Austria’s excellent bilateral relations and discussed topical EU matters of mutual interest. Grlić Radman informed Schallenberg about Croatia’s preparations for the Council of the EU chairmanship in the first half of 2020.

Grlić Radman underlined Croatia’s support for the EU journey of Southeast European countries, provided that all criteria are met. In that context, Croatia will host an EU-SEE summit in May next year.

The two ministers also talked about economic relations, highlighting the prospects of boosting economic cooperation and investments. “We want Austria to remain one of Croatia’s most important economic partners. Currently it is the biggest foreign investor, fourth trade partner and third as for tourist visits. Some 700 Austrian companies are operating in Croatia, and we hope that that number will continue to grow. I’ve told my Austrian colleague that Croatia will remain a good and reliable investment partner,” Grlić Radman told the press after the meeting.

While in Vienna, Grlić Radman met with Chancellor Brigitte Bierlein for talks on the current situation in the EU and Croatia’s priorities for the Council of the EU chairmanship. The minister also held talks with the Chairman of the Austrian Parliament’s Foreign Policy Committee and the EU Committee, Reinhold Lopatka, discussing Croatia and Austria’s bilateral relations and the importance of EU enlargement into the Western Balkans.

Grlić Radman wrapped up his visit to Austria with a meeting with the Vice-President of Austria’s Chamber of Economy, Richard Schenz. The two officials expressed satisfaction with their countries’ economic chambers long-standing cooperation, underlining the intensification of joint activities in order to boost economic relations.

 

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