State Secretary Pejčinović Burić met with International Affairs Commissioner of French Community in Belgium and Director General of Walloon Export and Investment Agency, Suinen

Suinen informed the Croatian side about Walloon’s economic activities, commenting on the need to stimulate positive economic co-operation between the two sides. Suinen pointed out that there is a Belgium’s Trade Office operating in Croatia with the aim of establishing business connections in the field of economy, i. e. investment and foreign trade.

State Secretary Pejčinović Burić took the opportunity to talk about Croatia’s preparations for the EU, reporting on the progress of the membership negotiations. She also emphasized Croatia’s efforts to conclude the negotiations and become a full EU member as soon as possible.

Suinen also offered the possibility of a bilateral co-operation, namely the offering of technical assistance in science and research, culture, and cross-border co-operation, in accordance with Croatia’s needs in approaching the EU.

In that regard, State Secretary Pejčinović Burić informed Suinen about the process of managing the pre-accession funds allocated to Croatia, stressing that Croatia is simultaneously preparing for a new and unique program of pre-accession assistance – IPA. She expressed her satisfaction with what has been done so far, pointing out our openness to the bilateral co-operation with the Walloon region.

As the International Affairs Commissioner of the French Community, Suinen also commented on the co-operation so far in that area, stressing the mutual satisfaction with the course of the preparations for the signing of the Memorandum on the introduction of a years-long French language training program at the Croatian state administration.