Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman on Wednesday received a working visit from Czech Foreign Minister Tomáš Petříček.
The two ministers exchanged views on a number of topics, such as EU vaccine supply, enlargement, Southeast Europe, economic cooperation and the upcoming tourist season in Croatia.
“I wish to express gratitude for the swift humanitarian aid we received after the devastating earthquake of 29 December. That was a powerful gesture of solidarity and a testament to our friendly relations, which go far back,” Grlić Radman said.
The minister reflected on the pandemic and the difficult situation in many parts of Europe, including the Czech Republic. He expressed solidarity with the Czech people in the fight against the pandemic, saying Croatia was willing to offer ten hospital beds for Czech and ten for Slovak COVID-19 patients. Petříček thanked for the offer, adding that together we can overcome difficulties more easily.
“Vaccine supply remains the main priority and is vital for facilitating movement and safety of our citizens. As a tourist destination, Croatia supports reaching an agreement at European level to facilitate movement and travel,” Grlić Radman stressed. Petříček said Grlić Radman informed him of what Croatia was doing for the safety of foreign tourists during the summer and commended the government’s approach, adding that the Czech Republic looked up to some of Croatia’s measures.
Grlić Radman underscored satisfaction with the two countries’ cooperation within EU and international institutions, such as the Three Seas Initiative and the Visegrád Group. He congratulated his counterpart on the Visegrád Group’s 30th anniversary and thanked for the Czech support for Croatia’s accession to the Schengen Area and the OECD.
Discussing the EU enlargement to Southeast Europe, Grlić Radman and Petříček expressed support for the European journey of the countries in the neighbourhood, underlining the importance of meeting the criteria.
The two ministers also discussed strengthening bilateral economic cooperation. “Our trade is strong and stable, with great potential for additional intensification in the areas of IT and energy,” Grlić Radman said.
“Minorities are an important link between our countries. They are our treasure and one of the pillars of our friendship, now as before. Minister Petříček visited Daruvar yesterday and witnessed the importance and contribution of the Czech minority to Daruvar and Croatia as a whole,” said Grlić Radman, highlighting the importance of the two countries’ minorities for bilateral relations.