State Secretary Bianca Matković received Italian State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Alfred Mantica

State secretaries Matković and Mantica expressed satisfaction with the good and friendly relations between Croatia and Italy in all areas, pointing out the mutual wish for their further enhancement. They also discussed the course of Croatia’s EU and NATO membership negotiations, whereby State Secretary Matković thanked Italy for its continuous support in that regard.

As regards the economic co-operation, it was pointed out that Italy is Croatia’s number one foreign-trade partner, while the overall trade is constantly on the rise. State Secretary Matković said Croatia welcomes the arrival of Italian investors, and wants to increase Italian investment in the production sector and further benefit from Italy’s experience in the tourist sector. Enhancing the economic and energy cooperation was pointed out as a common interest. In that regard, State Secretary Matković proposed the holding of an interstate economic forum, which State Secretary Mantica endorsed as well.

The meeting also discussed the state of affairs in the region, with both sides agreeing that the Euro-Atlantic perspective is the best solution to all of the outstanding issues and the only way to ensure a lasting stability in the region.

State secretaries Matković and Mantica signed the Agreement on Cultural and Education Cooperation between the Republic of Croatia and the Italian Republic, which represents a valuable contribution to the enhancement of interstate co-operation in this area.

State Secretary Mantica was also received by Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Gordan Jandroković, and met with State Secretary for European Integration Davor Božinović.