- Published: 28.04.2022.
Minister Grlić Radman talks bilateral relations, economic cooperation, Ukraine, Southeast Europe with Spanish counterpart Albares
Grlić Radman underscored satisfaction with the intensified political dialogue between Croatia and Spain, in light of the frequent high-level visits during the past year. He also highlighted the potential to strengthen cooperation in a number of areas, including scientific cooperation within the DONES project, as well as the IT sector and the pharmaceutical, wood, automotive, food, textile and defence industries.
The minister said that the two countries would continue to contribute to global and European security through NATO and the EU. “We will advance contacts between our armed forces and carry on the excellent cooperation we have with the Spanish police in investigating and preventing organised crime, as well as the cooperation between our border police forces and police academies,” he added.
Concerning the war in Ukraine, Grlić Radman and Albares underlined the importance of continued support for the country, including additional sanctions in coordination with the European and international partners, as well as further diplomatic activities and reaching an agreement on energy issues.
The two ministers also discussed Southeast Europe and EU enlargement. “We hope that the Council will reach a consensus on the negotiation frameworks for Albania and North Macedonia, and hold intergovernmental conferences with them. We must insist that all aspiring countries meet the criteria – the rule of law, good-neighbourly relations and regional cooperation. In that context, I emphasized the importance of a stable and functioning Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the importance of its continued European journey and reforms, which includes amending the election law,” Grlić Radman told the press.