FM Pusić meets African Union Commission Deputy Chair Mwencha

On the last day of her visit to Addis Ababa, First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign and European Affairs Minister Vesna Pusić met with Deputy Chair of the African Union Commission Erastus Mwencha

On the last day of her visit to Addis Ababa, First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign and European Affairs Minister Vesna Pusić met with Deputy Chair of the African Union Commission Erastus Mwencha.

Pusić informed Mwencha about Croatia’s development policy and cooperation, underscoring that Croatia had once been a recipient of development assistance and was now a donor, and that it understood very well the problems faced by recipient countries.

“We appreciate your role of a donor country even though, as you have said yourself, you do not have significant funds, but projects are what matters,” said Mwencha. Cooperation is possible in a lot of areas, notably in education, he said, adding that he believed Africa was ready for industrialisation and development of its own economy. Education, skills and healthcare are vital, but so is infrastructure, Mwencha said, recalling that cooperation between the former Yugoslavia and African countries had been very strong at the time when activities of the Non-Aligned Movement were the most intensive. If there are interested investors, they are welcome, he said, adding that Africa as a young continent was faced with numerous challenges, lack of jobs and emigration of young people.

Pusić informed Mwencha in brief about the events from Croatia’s more recent past, from the breakup of the former Yugoslavia to the aggression against Croatia and the accomplishment of the country’s strategic goals – EU and NATO membership. It is precisely because of its horrible war experience that Croatia has the know-how and experience it can share with other countries, from conflict resolution to building of state institutions and post-conflict reconstruction. In regard to the economy, there are several companies, such as Podravka, that are interested in entering the African market or in rebuilding business cooperation, as some of them are already well-known on the continent (road and dam building etc.), Pusić said.

Both officials agreed it was necessary to sign as soon as possible a memorandum of understanding as a legal framework for cooperation between Croatia and African countries.

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