ZAGREB, September 12, 2018 – Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković told the visiting Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen in Zagreb on Tuesday that Croatia was making great efforts in combating illegal migration and protecting the European Union’s external border, reiterating that Croatia would like to join the Schengen area next year.
According to a government press release, Plenković and Van der Bellen discussed the cooperation between the two countries within the European Union.
Van der Bellen spoke of the priorities of the current Austrian presidency of the EU, prevention of illegal migration, the latest developments in the countries of southeastern Europe and the importance of stability in the region.
The two officials emphasised that Austria and Croatia had excellent political and economic relations, calling for more trade and better cooperation in the energy sector. Plenković noted that Austria was the second biggest investor in Croatia.
The Croatian prime minister spoke of his government’s priorities – continuing the positive economic trends and structural reforms, fiscal consolidation, further reducing public debt and encouraging investment. Plenković also spoke of Croatia’s plan to meet the eurozone membership criteria.
Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandroković met with Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen on Tuesday, and the two officials confirmed the two countries’ traditionally friendly and intensive relations, the Parliament said in a press release.
Croatia and Austria have excellent, traditionally friendly and very intensive, bilateral relations and they cooperate excellently in many areas, it was said at the meeting.
The economic cooperation between the two countries is very good, the two officials said, welcoming a Croatian-Austrian business forum held in Zagreb earlier in the day.
Jandroković and Van der Bellen also underlined the importance of the two countries’ partnership in the EU and the importance of protecting the EU’s fundamental values. Also discussed was the situation in Southeast Europe, the EU and globally.
Jandroković extended an invitation for Austrian Parliament Speaker Wolfgang Sobotka to pay an official visit to Croatia.
