Prime Minister, Croatian Foreign Minister discuss expanding cooperation in key sectors

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Croatian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman on Thursday agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in trade, investments and other sectors during talks in Islamabad, as the two countries sought to deepen ties, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.

During the meeting at the Prime Minister’s House, Sharif welcomed Radman and his delegation, saying Pakistan and Croatia enjoyed friendly relations based on mutual respect, goodwill and shared interests.

The Prime Minister expressed Pakistan’s desire to expand cooperation in the areas of trade and investment, information technology, connectivity, agriculture, tourism and skilled manpower. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Foreign Minister Amna Baloch also attended the meeting.

Sharif conveyed his best wishes to Zoran Milanović and Andrej Plenković and invited the two leaders to undertake official visits to Pakistan.

Radman thanked the Prime Minister for the warm welcome, calling his visit to Islamabad an honor. He also commended Pakistan and its leaders for their role in promoting regional peace and reaffirmed his government’s desire to further expand its relations with Pakistan in all areas of mutual interest.

Meeting with Ishaq Dar

FM Dar received the Croatian minister and the Croatian delegation before the two sides negotiated at the delegation level on strengthening bilateral cooperation.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on July 20, the two sides discussed ways to expand cooperation in the areas of trade, investment, agriculture, labor mobility, visa facilitation, education, defense, climate change, tourism, infrastructure and information technology.

They also exchanged views on various aspects of cooperation between Pakistan and the European Union, as well as regional and global issues of mutual interest.

FO said both sides recognized that “connectivity is at the heart of sustainable development, regional stability and global economic integration” and discussed opportunities for collaboration between the ports of Pakistan and Croatia.

Pakistan and Croatia also agreed to hold bilateral political consultations later this year or early 2027. The Foreign Ministry described Radman’s visit as “an important step in strengthening relations between the two countries.”

Earlier, Radman arrived in Islamabad on Thursday for a one-day official visit as the two sides are expected to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral relations, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (FO).

According to the statement, Radman will hold delegation-level talks with FM Dar and is also expected to call on the country’s leaders.

He was received at the airport by the Director General (Europe-I) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In a statement, FO said Pakistan “looks forward to further strengthening bilateral cooperation with Croatia in areas of mutual interest.”

The visit is expected to be an opportunity for both sides to review bilateral relations and explore avenues for expanding cooperation in areas of common interest.