Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Marija Pejčinović Burić 21 April 2018 met with Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland. The meeting took place ahead of the meeting of the G7 foreign ministers.
The two ministers discussed Croatia and Canada’s bilateral relations, notably advancement of economic cooperation and attracting investments. In that regard, they also discussed the OECD enlargement, which Canada supports.
Pejčinović Burić and Freeland expressed satisfaction with statistical data for 2017 showing that the two countries’ trade surpassed US$74 million, as well as the fact that Croatia is becoming an increasingly interesting destination to Canadian tourists. Last year, 142,000 Canadians visited Croatia and their number is expected to go up after Air Canada and Air Transat introduce direct seasonal flights, four times a week, from Toronto to Zagreb and back.
The signing of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the EU-Canada Strategic Partnership Agreement will also contribute to the strengthening of economic cooperation. Croatia was among the first to ratify these agreements, as it considers Canada an important partner.
Both ministers agreed that the numerous Croat expats in Canada were an important link between the two countries.
Pejčinović Burić also met with the CEO of the Imperial Bank of Canada, Viktor Dodig.