ZAGREB, May 22, 2019 – Relations between Serbia and Croatia are important for regional stability and that is why their dialogue should be promoted and efforts should be stepped up to solve outstanding issues, and a visit by Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković would encourage cooperation and dialogue, it was said at talks between Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabić and Croatian Ambassador Gordan Bakota in Belgrade on Tuesday.
Brnabić and Bakota discussed the situation in the region and relations between the two countries, with the Serbian prime minister stressing the importance of those relations for regional stability and calling for closer cooperation, according to a press release from the Serbian government.
The Croatian ambassador said that the integration of the Western Balkans with the European Union was crucial for the prosperity of all countries in the region, adding that it would be an important topic during Croatia’s presidency of the EU in the first half of 2020.
Bakota informed Brnabić of Croatia’s plan to organise, during its EU presidency, an EU-Western Balkans summit, at which the EU membership prospects of Western Balkan countries and EU enlargement would be an important topic.
The two officials also stressed the importance of advancing relations in the area of minority rights so that all citizens are treated equally, regardless of their ethnic background.
They said that a major step forward in that regard, which was in the interest of both countries, could be made in the field of cross-border cooperation, using IPA funds.
Brnabić said that upgrading rail connectivity was in the interest of both countries and that in terms of infrastructure projects, Serbia’s focus in 2020 would be on the railway sector.
The two officials also discussed the cooperation between the two countries’ chambers of commerce and plans to organise a bilateral business summit in 2019.
Prime Minister Brnabić and Ambassador Bakota agreed that a visit by Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković to Serbia in the coming period would send a good signal in terms of the further promotion of cooperation and dialogue between the two countries, the Serbian government said.
More news about relations between Croatia and Serbia can be found in the Politics section.
