President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović continues her visit to Australia.
Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, who is on a state visit to Australia, met on Wednesday in Canberra with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. They discussed strengthening of bilateral relations and Croatia’s support ahead of the start of the Australian negotiations with the European Union on a free trade agreement, reports Večernji List on August 16, 2017.
Grabar-Kitarović and Turnbull also talked about the Croatian community in Australia and about the enthusiastic reception that the Croatian President had experienced. “You came as the Croatian President to a country that has a very large Croatian community, which has received you with enthusiasm. It is evident why that happened,” said Turnbull.
Australia hopes to strengthen trade links with Croatia and get its support ahead of negotiations on a free trade agreement with the European Union that should be launched later this year.
Turnbull emphasised that Australia was grateful to Croatia “for its support of Australia’s bid for the United Nations’ Human Rights Council and the support for the free trade agreement with the EU.”
“We look forward to furthering talks on how we can promote our shared values throughout the world and, of course, encourage further investments between Australia and Croatia,” Turnbull said.
Grabar-Kitarović thanked the Australian Prime Minister for his warm welcome and stressed that Croatia would continue to engage in the strengthening of the relationship between Australia and the EU. “In the European Union and NATO, you have a close friend and an ally,” said the Croatian President. She added that she was proud of Croats in Australia who are “proud Australians, while at the same time they guard and nurture their Croatian heritage and maintain close ties with Croatia.”
She also said that Croatia was interested in strengthening of bilateral relations in many areas, from science and technology to economic exchange, trade and investments. “I hope that, after today’s talks, we will be closer to potential new investments from Australia to Croatia and from Croatia to Australia,” said Grabar-Kitarović.
Croatian President will continue her visit to Australia in Melbourne and Adelaide, where she will meet with members of the Croatian community and top officials of the federal states of Victoria and South Australia. On Saturday, she will travel to New Zealand.
The President also met with Australian Governor General Peter Cosgrove.
Translated from Večernji List.
