- Published: 01.04.2025.
Minister Grlić Radman officially visits Ireland
Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman paid an official visit to Ireland from Sunday to Tuesday, March 30 to April 1, 2025, during which he held a number of talks and meetings. He met with the President of Ireland, Michael Daniel Higgins, the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Irish Parliament, Verona Murphy, the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Minister for Defence of Ireland, Simon Harris, the Archbishop of Dublin, Dermot Farrell, and the Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland. Additionally, the Minister delivered a lecture at the Institute of International and European Affairs in Dublin, visited the Croatian Catholic Mission in Ireland, and met with representatives of the Croatian community in Dublin.
During discussions with Deputy Prime Minister (Tánaiste), Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Minister for Defence Simon Harris, the deep historical ties and shared European values of the two countries were emphasized. The ministers exchanged views on strengthening bilateral relations, enhancing economic cooperation, and Ireland's growing role in Southeast Europe. They also discussed security challenges, migration trends, and support for the significant Croatian community living and working in Ireland.
The meeting with President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins focused on the historical ties between Croatia and Ireland, shared values, and important anniversaries that both countries have jointly commemorated. The interlocutors also recalled President Higgins' visit to Croatia in 2013, just before Croatia's accession to the European Union. On this occasion, Grlić Radman highlighted Ireland's invaluable support during the EU accession process, and discussions also revolved around further strengthening cooperation between the two countries within the EU.
With Senator Aubrey McCarthy, CEO of the humanitarian organization Tiglin, Phil Thompson, and member of the Croatian community Allen Bobinac, Grlić Radman discussed the role of civil society organizations that support vulnerable individuals and the importance of inclusive approaches to social reintegration. He expressed support for the humanitarian organization's efforts in providing shelter, preparing meals, and delivering essential support services that restore dignity and enable people to rebuild their lives. In a meeting with Senator Maria Byrne, Deputy Speaker of the Irish Senate, discussions focused on the importance of strengthening institutional cooperation and deepening bilateral ties at the European level to promote mutually beneficial relations. During his meeting with the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Irish Parliament, Verona Murphy, the importance of parliamentary dialogue in Croatia-Ireland bilateral relations was emphasized. The discussion focused on enhancing institutional cooperation within the EU framework, with an emphasis on shared democratic values and strategic alignment on key European issues.
On the first day of his stay in Ireland, Grlić Radman attended a Mass at St. Mary's Church and met with representatives of the Croatian expatriate community, thanking them for their unity and connection to their homeland, faith, and identity. During his visit to Marsh's Library, located next to St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin, the Minister had the opportunity to explore numerous books and manuscripts, including a transcript of the 16th-century work of Džore Držić, preserved in this institution’s collection, one of Ireland's oldest public libraries.
In his meeting with the Archbishop of Dublin, Dermot Farrell, Grlić Radman discussed the state of the Catholic Church in Ireland, including challenges related to the shortage of priests and the role of clergy from other countries in supporting local parishes. They also discussed the Croatian Catholic community in Ireland and the work of the Croatian Catholic Mission in Dublin. The Minister expressed gratitude for the continuous support provided to Croatian Catholics and emphasized the importance of preserving their national identity while integrating into local communities. In a meeting with the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Luis Mariano Montemayor, discussions focused on current global and regional issues, including the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, EU enlargement, and the stability of Southeast Europe, with an emphasis on the importance of the equal status of the three constituent peoples in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Speaking about bilateral relations between Croatia and the Holy See, the Minister stated that they remain extremely close and friendly, highlighting that the Catholic Church continues to play a vital role in connecting Croats around the world.
Minister Grlić Radman concluded his visit to Ireland with a lecture at the Institute of International and European Affairs in Dublin, where he spoke about EU enlargement, the Western Balkans, and their European integration path. Emphasizing the Croatian perspective, the Minister noted that as a country bordering this region, Croatia is keenly interested in the EU enlargement process towards the Western Balkans. He added that Croatia, thanks to its unique knowledge and historical experience, actively contributes not only to preparing the enlargement process within EU institutions but also to its concrete implementation in the Western Balkans. Finally, the Minister emphasized that the stability of this region is crucial for the security and stability of the entire European continent and that the enlargement policy should be viewed as a means of ensuring economic prosperity while simultaneously strengthening democracy and the rule of law in these countries. He concluded that the enlargement process must be merit-based and firmly focused on meeting criteria and demonstrating genuine commitment to reforms.
Press releases
During discussions with Deputy Prime Minister (Tánaiste), Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Minister for Defence Simon Harris, the deep historical ties and shared European values of the two countries were emphasized. The ministers exchanged views on strengthening bilateral relations, enhancing economic cooperation, and Ireland's growing role in Southeast Europe. They also discussed security challenges, migration trends, and support for the significant Croatian community living and working in Ireland.
The meeting with President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins focused on the historical ties between Croatia and Ireland, shared values, and important anniversaries that both countries have jointly commemorated. The interlocutors also recalled President Higgins' visit to Croatia in 2013, just before Croatia's accession to the European Union. On this occasion, Grlić Radman highlighted Ireland's invaluable support during the EU accession process, and discussions also revolved around further strengthening cooperation between the two countries within the EU.
With Senator Aubrey McCarthy, CEO of the humanitarian organization Tiglin, Phil Thompson, and member of the Croatian community Allen Bobinac, Grlić Radman discussed the role of civil society organizations that support vulnerable individuals and the importance of inclusive approaches to social reintegration. He expressed support for the humanitarian organization's efforts in providing shelter, preparing meals, and delivering essential support services that restore dignity and enable people to rebuild their lives. In a meeting with Senator Maria Byrne, Deputy Speaker of the Irish Senate, discussions focused on the importance of strengthening institutional cooperation and deepening bilateral ties at the European level to promote mutually beneficial relations. During his meeting with the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Irish Parliament, Verona Murphy, the importance of parliamentary dialogue in Croatia-Ireland bilateral relations was emphasized. The discussion focused on enhancing institutional cooperation within the EU framework, with an emphasis on shared democratic values and strategic alignment on key European issues.
On the first day of his stay in Ireland, Grlić Radman attended a Mass at St. Mary's Church and met with representatives of the Croatian expatriate community, thanking them for their unity and connection to their homeland, faith, and identity. During his visit to Marsh's Library, located next to St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin, the Minister had the opportunity to explore numerous books and manuscripts, including a transcript of the 16th-century work of Džore Držić, preserved in this institution’s collection, one of Ireland's oldest public libraries.
In his meeting with the Archbishop of Dublin, Dermot Farrell, Grlić Radman discussed the state of the Catholic Church in Ireland, including challenges related to the shortage of priests and the role of clergy from other countries in supporting local parishes. They also discussed the Croatian Catholic community in Ireland and the work of the Croatian Catholic Mission in Dublin. The Minister expressed gratitude for the continuous support provided to Croatian Catholics and emphasized the importance of preserving their national identity while integrating into local communities. In a meeting with the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Luis Mariano Montemayor, discussions focused on current global and regional issues, including the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, EU enlargement, and the stability of Southeast Europe, with an emphasis on the importance of the equal status of the three constituent peoples in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Speaking about bilateral relations between Croatia and the Holy See, the Minister stated that they remain extremely close and friendly, highlighting that the Catholic Church continues to play a vital role in connecting Croats around the world.
Minister Grlić Radman concluded his visit to Ireland with a lecture at the Institute of International and European Affairs in Dublin, where he spoke about EU enlargement, the Western Balkans, and their European integration path. Emphasizing the Croatian perspective, the Minister noted that as a country bordering this region, Croatia is keenly interested in the EU enlargement process towards the Western Balkans. He added that Croatia, thanks to its unique knowledge and historical experience, actively contributes not only to preparing the enlargement process within EU institutions but also to its concrete implementation in the Western Balkans. Finally, the Minister emphasized that the stability of this region is crucial for the security and stability of the entire European continent and that the enlargement policy should be viewed as a means of ensuring economic prosperity while simultaneously strengthening democracy and the rule of law in these countries. He concluded that the enlargement process must be merit-based and firmly focused on meeting criteria and demonstrating genuine commitment to reforms.