Prime Minister, Croatian Foreign Minister discuss expanding cooperation across key sectors

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Croatian Foreign and European Minister Gordan Grlić Radman on Thursday agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in trade, investment and other sectors during talks in Islamabad as the two countries sought to deepen ties, according to a statement issued by the prime minister’s office.

During the meeting at the Prime Minister’s House, Sharif welcomed Radman and his delegation and said that Pakistan and Croatia enjoyed friendly relations based on mutual respect, goodwill and common interests.

The Prime Minister expressed Pakistan’s desire to expand cooperation in trade and investment, information technology, connectivity, agriculture, tourism and skilled manpower. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Foreign Minister Amna Baloch also attended the meeting.

Sharif conveyed his best wishes to Zoran Milanović and Andrej Plenković and extended invitations to both leaders to make official visits to Pakistan.

Radman thanked the Prime Minister for the warm welcome and described his visit to Islamabad as an honour. He also praised Pakistan and its leadership for their role in promoting regional peace and reaffirmed his government’s desire to further expand relations with Pakistan across all areas of mutual interest.

Meeting with Ishaq Dar

FM Dar received the Croatian minister and the Croatian delegation before the two sides held delegation-level talks on strengthening bilateral cooperation.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the X, the two sides discussed ways to expand cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture, labor mobility, visa facilitation, education, defense, climate change, tourism, infrastructure and information technology.

They also exchanged views on various aspects of Pakistan-EU cooperation as well as regional and global issues of common interest.

The FO said both sides recognized that “connectivity is at the core of sustainable development, regional stability and global economic integration” and discussed opportunities for cooperation between the ports of Pakistan and Croatia.

Pakistan and Croatia also agreed to hold bilateral political consultations later this year or in early 2027. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs described Radman’s visit as “an important step in strengthening relations between the two countries.”

Earlier, Radman arrived in Islamabad on Thursday on a one-day official visit as the two sides will discuss ways to strengthen bilateral relations, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (FO).

According to the statement, Radman will hold delegation-level talks with FM Dar and is also scheduled to call on the country’s leadership.

He was received at the airport by the Director General (Europe-I) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In a statement, the FO said Pakistan “looks forward to further strengthening bilateral cooperation with Croatia in areas of mutual interest”.

The visit is expected to give both sides the opportunity to review bilateral ties and explore opportunities to expand cooperation in areas of mutual interest.