Bilateral achievements |
Co-operation of Croatia and the world in specific programmes
New US administration – equally high level of bilateral relations
Croatia's membership in NATO provided a new partnership dimension which enriched the generally excellent bilateral relations with the United States of America and with Canada. A series of bilateral meetings, and achievements in the field of facilitating the visa regime for Croatian nationals, are a good indicator of the high level of mutual trust and friendship.
Friendly and allied relations between Croatia and the United States of America continued with the administration of the new US President in January 2009. The first top-level meeting took place upon Croatia's admission to NATO at the summit in Strasbourg and Kehl on 3 and 4 April, when US President Barack Obama handed over a copy of the Washington Treaty to the President of the Republic of Croatia Stjepan Mesić. On this occasion, Prime Minister Ivo Sanader met separately with the US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. High level political dialogue and consultations continued, particularly
concerning co-operation in South East Europe and Afghanistan. In July, the Deputy State Secretary James Steinberg and the Assistant Deputy Secretary Philip Gordon took part in the Croatia Summit in Dubrovnik. In December, Croatia's Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Gordan Jandroković visited Washington, where he met with US State Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton, the senior director for European affairs and special assistant to the US President Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall, Under Secretary of Defense for Policy in Pentagon Michele Flournoy, chairwoman of the Senate Subcommittee on European Affairs Jeanne Shaheen, chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs Howard Berman, and a number of US senators and congressmen. In October, political consultations were held at the level of state secretaries. Along with a meeting with Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg, State Secretary Davor Božinović also met with Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall, as well as with Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Joseph McMillan, and assistant secretary at the Department of Homeland Security David Heyman. Improvements to the visa regime also contributed to the improvement
of bilateral relations. As of May, the United States of America issue multiple tourist and business visas to Croatian nationals valid for a period of 10 years. Co-operation on the fulfilment of conditions and criteria for Croatia's admission to the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) has continued. Several agreements on security co-operation were concluded with that aim in mind, and in mid 2009 Croatia began to issue biometric e-passports.
The meagre extent of economic co-operation was further afflicted by the financial and economic crisis in both countries. The total commodity exchange was only USD 775.3 million, which is 21% less than in 2008. Croatian exports dropped by one third, and US imports by 13%. Croatia recorded visits by 123,935 American tourists (22.4% less than in 2008), who realised 335,967 overnight stays (17.3% less than in 2008).
Early 2009 was very important for further development of good relations with Canada. Despite the crisis being experienced by its government at the time, Canada ratified the Protocol on NATO Enlargement to the Republic of Croatia. In January, the Visiting Forces Act entered into force. The Act approves non-visa entry and the corresponding immunity to Croatian soldiers on entry and stay in Canada. On 29 March, the Canadian Government issued the Decision lifting the visa requirements for Croatian nationals, making Canada
the first North American state to enable Croatian nationals to stay in its territory without visas.
A large number of visits by high-ranking officials were realised in 2009. The Governor General of Canada Michaelle Jean and the Minister of National Defence Peter MacKay visited Croatia, while the Speaker of the Croatian Parliament Luka Bebić and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Gordan Jandroković visited Canada. The latter met with the Speaker of the Senate Noel A. Kinsella, the Speaker of the House of Commons Peter Milliken, Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon, and the ministers of defence, international trade, and the Minister of Western Economic Diversification, Lynne Yelich.
The Canadian side proposed the conclusion of two agreements on specific co-operation in the field of science and education. The Ministry of Education of the Province of British Columbia and the Province Ontario introduced the Croatian language as part of the regular curriculum from grade 5 through 12. Thus, pupils have been provided with an opportunity to learn the Croatian language as an optional subject, as a result of persistent efforts by the Canadian Croatian Congress and support provided by the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia in Ottawa.
As economic relations considerably improved in 2009, Croatia has
become Canada's largest trade partner in the region. Although the commodity exchange of USD 120.2 million has dropped by 3.1% in relation to 2008 due to the crisis, it has tripled over the past three years.
The relations between Croatia and the United Mexican States have considerable potential for growth. In February, the Croatian Ambassador Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović presented her credentials to Mexican President Felipe de Jesús Calderón Hinojosa, in the presence of Foreign Minister Patricia Espinosa Cantellano. In 2009, active efforts were made to lift visa requirements for Croatian tourists and businessmen travelling to Mexico. Agreement on Exemption of Visa Requirements for Holders of Diplomatic and Service/Official Passports entered into force on 12 October 2009.
Eastern Europe – focus on energy and co-operation in tourism
In 2009, the Croatian Government's policy towards the Russian Federation became more active, both at the political and economic level, especially in terms of joint energy projects. An impetus to the new quality in bilateral relations was provided by the meeting of Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin at the Commemoration of World War II Outbreak in
Gdansk. The Chairman of the International Affairs Committee of the State Duma Konstantin Kosachov took part at the Croatian Summit in Dubrovnik, Deputy Speaker of the Duma Ljubov Petrovna Sliska and Minister Sergey Shoygu visited Zagreb in October. Deputy Prime Minister Damir Polančec visited the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in June. The Minister of Culture Božo Biškupić also visited St. Petersburg in November. The farewell visit of President Stjepan Mesić to Moscow on 14 December is considered an important step for further co-operation. The President met with Russian President Dmitri Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.
With a view to promoting tourism, the Croatian Government adopted a decision on temporary exemption of visas for Russian tourists in the period from 1 May to 31 October.
In 2009, the Ukraine opened an honorary consulate in Zadar, and the Republic of Croatia launched an initiative for the opening of a honorary consulate in Donetsk. In May, the Memorandum on Co-operation in the Process of European Integration was signed by the two foreign ministries. A delegation of the Croatian Parliament,
headed by the Speaker of the Croatian Parliament Luka Bebić, visited the Ukraine in November. The main topics covered were Croatia's experience in the EU accession process, permanent lifting of visa requirements between the two states, opening of an office of the Croatian National Tourist Board in Kiev, establishing direct flights between the two capitals and the possibility of economic and energy co-operation. With the aim of promoting tourism, Croatia issued a decision on temporary exemption of visas for Ukrainian tourists in the period from 1 May to 31 October.
In terms of relations with the Republic of Belarus, Croatia acts in accordance with the Common Foreign and Security Policy of the EU. The year 2009 was marked by more intensive economic contacts and both sides expressed their willingness to supplement the current contractual framework. In terms of commodity exchange with the Republic of Belarus, Croatia recorded a surplus.
The President of the Republic of Croatia Stjepan Mesić visited the Republic of Armenia in May. On this occasion, two interstate agreements were signed. Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan came to Croatia on a return visit in September. The Croatian-Armenian Economic Forum was also held at this time.
The Deputy Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Georgia, Helen Khososhtaria, visited Zagreb in May in order to
consult with the head of the Directorate for Multilateral Affairs of the Ministry concerning Euro-Atlantic integration.
Asia and Australia – important economic, as well as cultural ties
In its relations with this very diverse and globally ever more important region, Croatia focused its foreign policy on developing and strengthening its political and economic dialogue with the most important countries, especially members of the G-20 – China, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea and Australia. As there is room for better economic co-operation with the leading Asian countries, Croatia's efforts are aimed at attracting new investments and increasing Croatian exports. The largest commodity exchange was that with China, Japan, Korea, India and Indonesia, but in the relations with all of these countries Croatia registers a high deficit. Despite the magnitude of the Asian market and opportunities that it provides, Croatian exports are still extremely low (only around 5% of total exports are intended for Asia).
Bilateral relations with the People’s Republic of China in 2009 were abundant and substantial, and were marked by very dynamic dialogue at all levels. The central event was definitely the official visit of President Hu Jintao to Croatia on 19 and 20 June (the first visit of
a Chinese President to Croatia and the region). At this and other Croatian-Chinese meetings, special attention was paid to the possibilities of economic co-operation, reducing the Croatian deficit, attracting investments into Croatia and developing co-operation in tourism. During the presidential visit, an economic forum took place, which was attended by more than 200 Chinese businessmen. The Speaker of the Croatian Parliament Luka Bebić and a delegation of the Croatian Parliament visited the People's Republic of China in August. They met with the highest-ranking Chinese officials and visited the cities of Xi'an and Shanghai. Political consultations at the level of directors from the two foreign ministries were held in Zagreb. The Mayor of Shanghai visited Zagreb in June, and was received by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Gordan Jandroković. The fourth session of the Croatian-Chinese Commission for Scientific and Technological Co-operation was held in Beijing in November. A protocol setting out twelve new projects for scientific and technological co-operation was signed. A delegation of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong visited the Republic of Croatia in September at the invitation of the Croatian Parliament.
Political dialogue with Japan also continued. In October, the fifth regular political consultation of the representatives of the two foreign ministries was held in Zagreb. On the basis of the Memorandum of Co-operation between the Republic of Croatia and Japan in the field of education, sports, science and technology, the first joint Croatian-Japanese research was arranged on a project entitled Identification of Risks and Planning the Use of Land for Crisis Management after Landslides and Flooding in Croatia. This five year project is worth EUR 4 million.
In March, the 9th session of the Croatian-Indian Joint Committee on Trade and Economic Co-operation was held in Zagreb. Good co-operation was also achieved in the field of culture. Croatia took part in international film festivals in Bangalore, Thrissur, Calcutta, New Delhi, Goa and Chennai. The Hindu translation of the book “Croatian Literature” was presented at the India International Centre. In early November, a Co-operation Agreement was signed by the University of Zagreb and the New Delhi University. An Agreement on Co-operation between the Croatian Radio Television and Doordarshan Television (the Indian national TV network) was signed by the Indian side, while the Croatian side will sign after the election of a director of the Croatian Radio Television.
The visit by Foreign Minister of the Philippines Alberto G. Romulo
in May was the first visit by a high-ranking official from the Philippines to Croatia. He met with his Croatian colleague Gordan Jandroković and Minister of Culture Božo Biškupić. He was also received by President Stjepan Mesić. Two interstate agreements in the field of culture and sports were signed.
The first session of the Joint Croatian-Indonesian Committee on Economic and Technical Co-operation was held in Zagreb on 27 March. The Indonesian delegation headed by the Foreign Ministry's director general for American and European Affairs Retno L. P. Marsudi was also received by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Gordan Jandroković. The Indonesian side announced a decision to open the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in the Republic of Croatia.
In February, Croatia was visited by the Minister of Health of Malaysia Datuk Haji Abdul Latiff who discussed the possibilities for co-operation in the field of pharmaceuticals and medicine. Croatia and Malaysia continued their good co-operation in the field of culture. The first Festival of Malaysian Food and Culture was held in Zagreb
from 9 to 15 November.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Gordan Jandroković and the Foreign Minister of Australia Stephen Smith met on the margins of the session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September. In August, Australia repealed the disputable Declaration and Statement Regarding Character from visa applications, which constitutes an important milestone in bilateral relations with Croatia.
Bilateral relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran were somewhat less intensive than the year before. In the field of culture, the traditional week of Iranian culture was held in Zagreb in February. In October, Mahdi Mustafavi, the head of the Organisation for Islamic Culture and Relations, visited Croatia and signed the Cultural Co-
operation Programme between Croatia and Iran for 2009, 2010 and 2011. He was also received by Croatian President Stjepan Mesić.
In June, the Minister of Defence Branko Vukelić visited Afghanistan. He met with Croatian soldiers in the ISAF, the Vice President of Afghanistan and the UN High Representative. The Republic of Croatia provided USD 50,000 for the
implementation of the presidential election in Afghanistan in August. Celebrating International Children's Day, the head of the Croatian team in the German Provincial Reconstruction Team Feyzabad Mirko Capjak presented a donation of winter clothes for 110 poor pupils of Feyzabad. The donation was organised in co-operation with the Directorate for Relations with Women of the Province of Badakshan.
The September opening of the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Zagreb, headed by the chargé d'affaires ad interim, stands out among the bilateral relations of the Republic of Croatia with the countries of Central Asia. In early December, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Gordan Jandroković met with his Kazakhstan counterpart Kanat Saudabayev. The meeting singled out the areas of greatest potential for economic co-operation. The President of the Republic of Croatia Stjepan Mesić made an official visit to Tajikistan in late May at which time two bilateral agreements were signed. The President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon came for a return visit to Croatia in September to conclude yet another protocol and a Joint Declaration on the Improvement of Friendly Relations. The President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov visited Croatia in June. The two presidents signed a joint declaration on priorities in bilateral co-operation and the Agreement on Co-operation between the Diplomatic Academy and the
Institute for International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. In July, a Croatian economic delegation visited Turkmenistan, followed in November by the delegation of the County of Istria, headed by County Prefect Ivan Jakovčić.
Central and South America – co-operation supported by realistic interests
The states of Latin America successfully addressed the challenges of the global financial and economic crisis by ensuring further growth for their economies and contributing to the stability of the world's financial and economic system, making the development of multi-faceted relations with these countries interesting for Croatia as well. In the commodity exchange between Croatia and Latin America, negative trends were recorded. Croatian exports to Latin America amounted to USD 29 million, 63% less compared to the previous year, while imports from the area amounted to USD 306 million which is 31% less than the year before. As a full-fledged member of NATO and soon to be full-fledged member of the EU, and an active participant at the multilateral level, Croatia is indisputably an interesting partner for Latin American countries. The Croatian emigrant community serves as a bridge for better understanding and strengthening of bilateral co-operation.
In 2009, relations with Chile were intensive, as confirmed by the September visit of the high level delegation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Chile headed by the Deputy Minister. The seventh political consultation was held during the visit. Croatia's participation at the celebration of the 200th anniversary of Chile's Independence was arranged. The possibility of initiating the study of the Croatian language and literature in Chile was confirmed. An interest by both sides in more intensive co-operation characterises the relations of Croatia and Brazil. With a total value of commodity exchange of USD 204 million, Brazil is still Croatia's main foreign trade partner in the area. Brazil has witnessed a growing interest in Croatia as a tourist destination. In 2009, more than 10,000 Brazilian tourists visited Croatia, which is 25% more than the year before. Bilateral relations with Argentina focused on achieving specific co-operation in all fields of common interest. Croatia's efforts were directed at the opening of a resident Argentinean embassy in Croatia and the strengthening of bilateral co-operation in the field of trade, science, and the use of Croatian ports, in particular. For years, Croatia's participation in the International Fair of Tourism in Buenos Aires has been well noted. Relations with Columbia improved in November following the presentation of credentials by the non-resident Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia Rade Marelić. Regular visits of the ambassador and the consular staff of the Croatian Embassy in Brasilia will
facilitate co-operation with the Columbian authorities, business circles and the Croatian emigrant community. During the official visit of President Stjepan Mesić to Cuba in September, five bilateral agreements were signed. Other events held during the visit included the Croatian-Cuban Economic Forum, a meeting of the Croatia-Cuba Intergovernmental Joint Commission and the Week of Croatian Film.
The interests of the Republic of Croatia in Central America are still directed at co-operation within multilateral forums and the real possibility that countries in the region will sign an agreement on association with the EU which will serve as a framework for bilateral co-operation with these countries following Croatia's accession. In March 2009, Croatian Ambassador Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović presented her credentials in Panama.
Near and Middle East, Africa – intensifying contacts
Relations with countries in North Africa and Middle East were marked by intensive exchange of high level visits emphasising economic co-operation. Good results were achieved in oil and gas exploration, while civil engineering, construction and infrastructural materials remain the cornerstones of Croatian exports to the countries in the Persian Gulf. Some of these countries still have a current demand for humanitarian demining services. Countries in this region are
emerging as an increasingly important tourist market for Croatia.
In October, the President of the Republic of Croatia Stjepan Mesić paid an official visit to Israel, while Israeli Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Avigdor Liberman arrived for his first visit to Croatia in September. A political consultation was held in Zagreb at the level of state secretaries of the ministries of foreign affairs. Intensive and comprehensive co-operation with Israel was also strengthened through visits by the Speaker of the Croatian Parliament and the Minister of the Interior.
The President of the Republic of Croatia Stjepan Mesić visited Oman and Egypt, where he participated at the summit of the Non-Aligned Movement. In Jordan, the President met with King Abdullah II, accepting his invitation to participate in the Wold Economic Forum. The President of Egypt Hosni Mubarak, accompanied by the foreign minister and the ministers of trade, industry and investments, the President of Syria Bashir al-Assad and the Emir of Qatar Mohammed bin Hamad al-Thani came for an official visit to Croatia for the first time. Numerous bilateral meetings at the foreign ministers' level
carried an important economic component. Accompanied by an economic delegation, Croatian Minister Gordan Jandroković visited Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. The foreign ministers of Morocco and the United Arab Emirates came for their first official visit to Croatia. Further to the policy of improving overall bilateral relations with the states of the Persian Gulf, the Government of the Republic of Croatia adopted a regulation in December on the exemption of visa requirements for holders of diplomatic and service/official passports in Qatar, Oman and the United Arab Emirates. Five interstate agreements were signed with Qatar; two agreements in the economic sphere and two memoranda of co-operation were signed with Oman.
Several decisions initiating or raising the level of diplomatic representation testify to the mutual recognition of the potential for bilateral co-operation between the Republic of Croatia and the countries of North Africa, the Near and Middle East. As part of Croatia's plan to open a diplomatic mission in one of the countries of the Persian Gulf, the Ministry launched a procedure for opening the Consulate of the Republic of Croatia in Oman at the end of the year, to be headed by a honorary consul. In September, the United Arab Emirates requested the issuing of approval for the country's ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary state in Berlin as non-
resident ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to the Republic of Croatia. After four years of Lebanon's inability to accredit its ambassador in the Republic of Croatia (due to war and internal Lebanese unrest), the Ambassador of Lebanon presented his credentials to the Croatian President in August. Morocco's decision to open a resident embassy in Zagreb in 2010 was a strong political boost to the intensification of the overall relations between Croatia and Morocco.
In 2009, the Croatian Government adopted a decision on non-resident coverage of Botswana from the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia in the South African Republic. Ambassador Ivan Picukarić presented his credentials in late 2009 and became the first Croatian Ambassador to Botswana.
Taking care of Croatian citizens abroad