- Published: 11.05.2009.
Minister Gordan Jandroković received Philippine Foreign Minister Alberto Gatmaitan Romulo
The ministers described the two countries’ bi- and multilateral cooperation as very good, despite the geographical distance
This was also confirmed by today’s signing of two documents: the Memorandum of Agreement between the Ministry of Science, Education and Sports of the Republic of Croatia and the Philippine Sports Committee on Cooperation in Sports, and the Agreement on Cultural Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Croatia and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines.
The Republic of Croatia is interested in strengthening the cooperation in economy, tourism, culture, education and sports, with a special emphasis on the transfer of technology, knowledge and experience, as well as telecommunication equipment, tobacco, chemical and pharmaceutical products.
Both sides expressed interest in using the ports of Rijeka and Ploče to link the Philippines with the EU countries and regional markets. It was arranged that for the purposes of promoting cooperation in that area, as well as in other economic segments of mutual interest, consultation will be held between representatives of the foreign affairs ministries and businessmen.
The ministers presented their views on the current economic crisis, touching upon the macroeconomic indicators and the affect of the crisis on both of the countries. Exchanging views on the situation in the region, the ministers also talked about the cooperation realized between the EU and ASEAN members. In regard to the trade between Croatia and the Philippines, which last year amounted to $17.8 million, both ministers agreed that there is room for its further development.
As for the two countries’ multilateral cooperation, both ministers described it as also very good. They also discussed Croatia’s recent NATO accession, on which Minister Romulo congratulated, as well as Croatia’s most important foreign-policy goal – the full-fledged EU membership. Minister Jandroković pointed out the positive influence of Croatia’s accession process on the various democratic processes already underway in other countries in the region.