Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman on Thursday met with the Holy See’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, during the second day of his official visit to the Vatican.
The talks were a follow-up to Parolin’s official visit to Croatia in May this year for the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the 25th anniversary of the ratification of bilateral agreements between Croatia and the Holy See. Both sides underscored satisfaction with the excellent bilateral relations as well as active and intensive cooperation.
Grlić Radman and Parolin discussed topical foreign policy matters, such as the war in Ukraine and the state of affairs in Southeast Europe. “We closely follow the messages and endeavours of the Holy Father, Pope Francis, to stop the Russian invasion and the brutality of war, and we highly appreciate his calls for peace,” the minister said. He added that Croatia would continue supporting Ukraine for as long as necessary.
Concerning the situation in Southeast Europe, Grlić Radman said that Croatia strongly supports the genuine European aspirations of the countries in its neighbourhood and welcomes the European Commission’s recent recommendation to grant Bosnia and Herzegovina the EU membership candidate status. He underlined that the stability and functionality of Bosnia and Herzegovina were crucial for the stability of the entire region and that a European Bosnia and Herzegovina is a country that ensures there is a fair electoral process and equal representation of all three constituent peoples at all levels of government.
The talks also focused on the protection of Christians worldwide and the freedom of religion. Grlić Radman and MP Marijana Petir highlighted the activities of the International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance (IRFBA), a multinational platform for the protection and advancement of freedom of religion or belief, whose founders include Croatia.
During the second day of his official visit to the Vatican, Grlić Radman also attended a mass for Croatia and its people at St. Jerome. In addition, the minister visited the Pontifical Croatian College of St. Jerome, where he met with rector Marko Đurin, the students and the Croatian community. Đurin presented the activities of the college and underscored its historical significance for the Croatian people and the Croatian pilgrims in Rome.
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