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Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman on Friday received Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg.
The two ministers exchanged views on a number of topics, such as bilateral political and economic relations, EU enlargement and the state of affairs in Southeast Europe, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the challenges concerning the coronavirus pandemic in the EU and Croatia as a safe destination for Austrian and other guests.
Grlić Radman and Schallenberg described Croatia and Austria’s bilateral relations as excellent, with potential for additional advancement, notably in economy. “Austria is one of our most important economic partners, and we want the economic cooperation and investments to continue. Austria is currently the second largest foreign investor in Croatia and the fifth foreign trade partner, while Austrian tourist are traditionally among the most numerous,” said Grlić Radman, underscoring that this year too Croatia was taking every precautions to protect its guests.
Schallenberg said Austria supported Croatia’s entry to the Schengen Area. “I’m very pleased that Croatia will soon become a full member of the Schengen Area and we fully support it in that,” he said, adding that with Schengen came a big responsibility for Croatia in guarding the EU’s external border. Schallenberg also thanked Croatia for contributing to reducing the pressure of illegal migration on Austria and the rest of Europe.
In addition, the two ministers discussed EU enlargement and the situation in Southeast Europe. “The stability and functioning of Southeast European countries is crucial,” Grlić Radman said, underlining the importance of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s continued European journey, which includes reforming the election law to eliminate any form of discrimination and allow for the election of legitimate political representatives of all the constituent peoples and all other citizens of the country.
Grlić Radman expressed solidarity with the Austrian people over the floods that had hit a number of European countries, including Austria, and thanked for Austria’s assistance in the wake of the previous year’s earthquakes in Croatia.
After the meeting, Grlić Radman and Schallenberg toured the Zagreb Cathedral.