Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Marija Pejčinović Burić 7 March 2019 paid a working visit to the Federal Republic of Germany.
Her host was German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas. The two officials signed a joint statement on intensifying government cooperation and an action plan. The adoption of the action plan was supported by the two countries’ heads of government, Plenković and Merkel, in August 2018.
The action plan aims to boost cooperation in areas of joint interest: foreign and European policy, economy, research, culture and education, sports, sustainable development, climate, the environment, home affairs, justice, defence, agriculture, job market, social policy, healthcare and parliamentary cooperation.
Ahead of the signing ceremony, Pejčinović Burić said that the action plan, the first such document signed with Germany, represented a new step forward in the two countries’ relations and would further strengthen them, as well as broaden the scope of Croatia-Germany partnership within the EU.
Pejčinović Burić and Mass discussed the future of the EU and the enlargement policy. They also exchanged views on the priorities and challenges of Croatia and Germany’s Council of the EU presidency the following year.
Both officials underlined the importance of the EU accession process for the stability of Southeast European countries. They exchanged views on the political situations in these countries, agreeing on the importance of the EU’s support in their reforms efforts.
Pejčinović Burić highlighted Croatia’s foreign policy priorities: joining the Schengen Area, the eurozone and the OECD.
The two ministers expressed satisfaction with the excellent bilateral relations and the future strengthening of cooperation in the bilateral and European context.