Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman on Thursday received an official visit from the French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Yves Le Drian.
As part of the visit, the two ministers toured the quake-hit Petrinja. Grlić Radman thanked his French counterpart for the solidarity and humanitarian aid that France had sent to Sisak-Moslavina County. Le Drian said that by visiting Petrinja he wanted to express sympathy and convey the solidarity the French felt with the victims.
The earthquake that had hit the area has exacerbated the already difficult circumstances that Croatia together with the rest of the world is experiencing since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Grlić Radman therefore informed Le Drian about the latest measures Croatia had instated to protect its citizens and safeguard the economy and jobs. Special emphasis has been placed on promoting vaccine as the safest way to curb the pandemic.
The two ministers held talks during the visit, underscoring satisfaction with bilateral cooperation. Grlić Radman thanked France for its support to Croatia’s efforts to join the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). He cited Mediterranean as an area with great potential for further cooperation, which links the two countries not only geographically, but also culturally and in terms of mentality.
The two ministers also discussed EU enlargement and the new accession talk methodology. Grlić Radman highlighted the importance of sending clear messages about the European perspective and a credible enlargement policy based on meeting the membership criteria, implementing the required reforms and achieving measurable results, along with the implementation of individual approach.
As a follow-up to the recently held international conference on the Dayton-Paris Peace Agreement, which Le Drian also attended, Grlić Radman mentioned Bosnia and Herzegovina, recalling that Croatia is pushing for urgent changes to the Election Law with the aim of achieving the country’s functionality and political stability, as well as resolving of the issue of equality of its three constituent peoples and citizens.
Le Drian underlined satisfaction with Croatia-France cooperation in numerous areas, including culture. In that context, he announced that February 21 would mark the 100th anniversary of the French Institute, which is active in Zagreb as well.