December 8, 2023 – Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman had a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Australia, Senator Penny Wong, in Canberra on December 4, 2023. Among other important points, there was talk about a Croatia-Australia double taxation avoidance agreement.
As stated in the official press release, the ministers highlighted the excellent relations between the two countries and emphasized the importance of the large Australian-Croatian community, which numbers 250 thousand and forms the strongest bridge of cooperation between the two countries.
They agreed that there is progress in strengthening economic cooperation, especially welcoming the return of a record number of Australian visitors to Croatia with approximately 220 thousand tourists in the first ten months of 2023. Minister Grlić Radman emphasized the importance of the partnership between NATO and Australia, as one of the Alliance’s key global partners, which above all contributes to the understanding of security issues in the Indo-Pacific region.
Discussing EU-Australia cooperation, the ministers agreed that strong cooperation is key to solving global challenges and that there is a need to maintain intensive dialogue and cooperation in various fields, in order to preserve and advance common interests.
Minister Grlić Radman expressed satisfaction with the Australian government’s announcement that it will include Croatia in the Australian tax treaty program and begin negotiations on the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement with Croatia as early as next year.
The ministers also exchanged opinions on current global issues such as the Russian aggression against Ukraine, and the situation in the Middle East and South-Eastern Europe. Minister Grlić Radman is the first Croatian foreign minister to visit Australia since 2005.
During his stay in Canberra, the Minister also met with the Chief Administrator of Australia, H.E. E. General David Hurley. They discussed current global issues, confirming the friendly bilateral relations between Croatia and Australia.
The Minister also held meetings with Minister of Industry and Science Ed Husic, President of the Senate Sue Lines, Senator Simon Birmingham, and Senator Marija Kovačić. The minister concluded his visit to Canberra by paying his respects at the Australian War Memorial.
