Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman on Tuesday received his Kosovar counterpart Donika Gërvall-Schwarz, who was on her first official visit to Croatia.
The two officials underscored friendly and partner relations between Croatia and Kosovo, as well as the readiness to advance bilateral relations in all areas of mutual interest. Grlić Radman emphasized the importance of improving the status of the Croat minority in Kosovo, the oldest Croatian diaspora that this year is marking the 720th anniversary of Janjevo first being mentioned in official documents.
“The Croatia-Kosovo Business Forum recently held in Pristina, attended by some 50 Croatian and 80 odd Kosovar companies, has proven to be an efficient mechanism for additionally advancing our economic relations, which hold great potential,” said Grlić Radman. He added that the two countries’ economic relations were on the upswing, as evidenced by the 23% increase in trade in the first 11 months of 2022.
“Croatia strongly supports Kosovo’s accession to all international organisations, including the Council of Europe and the European Union. We are ready to help with our knowledge and experience in the necessary reform processes,” the minister said, applauding Kosovo’s commitment to the European path and the implementation of reforms.
Gërvalla-Schwarz said that Croatia was not only a strategic partner, but also a close friend, adding that the two countries shared a long common history that included the struggle for independence from Yugoslavia, a communist dictatorship in which Serbia had economic and political dominance.
Grlić Radman also reflected on the political situation in Southeast Europe, including the Belgrade-Pristina negotiations, adding, “The European path of all six Western Balkan countries, based on individual approach and fulfilment of all criteria, is the right path.”
“In a broader geopolitical context, Kosovo is proving with its pro-European stance in foreign policy to be a reliable partner,” Grlić Radman concluded.
Press releases
