President of Malta Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca welcomed President of the Republic of Croatia Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović in Valletta, at the beginning of President Grabar-Kitarović’s state visit.
Following bilateral talks, both Presidents addressed a press conference at The Palace.
President Coleiro Preca said that on a bilateral level, Malta and Croatia enjoy strong relations – relations which are reflected in the various high-level meetings that have recently taken place between both countries. “These encounters included meetings between our respective Ministers of Foreign Affairs, held in April this year, and bilateral talks betwen our Prime Ministers, held earlier in March, where they discussed the future of the European Union, amongst other topics,” the President said.
President Coleiro Preca said that while diplomatic relations between Malta and the Republic of Croatia started in 1992, “our relations since Croatia’s membership in the European Union in 2013, have been strengthened by the importance that we both place, in the success of the European Project.”
The President said that Malta and Croatia’s commitment towards the values of peace within our regions, in our European Union, and throughout our world, reflect a like-minded approach towards the wellbeing and prosperity of our peoples, and added that both countries have reiterated their firm belief “that we must continue working together; to give due prominence to all issues that promote the prosperirty and the wellbeing of all members of our societies, by committing ourselves to enhance further our endeavours to encourage our trade and business communities to work in synergy.”
The President of Malta said that they have also further committed themselves to continue to encourage the strengthening of social and cultural relations. Both Presidents have also discussed the situation of the Western Balkan and the Mediterranean region. The President commended the Republic of Croatia for its efforts to ensure stability in the Western Balkan region, and stated that “Malta believes that to ensure stability and prosperity for the peoples of all the Western Balkan countries, these countries should be part of our family of nations within the European Union.”
President Coleiro Preca emphasised that stability in the Western Balkans, and the potential for peaceful prosperity, is a priority for Malta’s ongoing Presidency of the Council of the European Union. In light of this, both Presidents have also spoken at length about Malta’s priority areas for the Presidency of the European Union, and its achievements at this point.
The President said that it is encouraging to note the number of registered Croatian employees who are active in the Maltese workforce, and she also remarked that tourism between both countries is also growing steadily.
“We both believe, President Grabar-Kitarović and I, that opportunities, through employment and tourism, are an excellent means of bringing people together to nurture people-to-people contact, and to enhance friendships among the communities of our respective countries,” President Coleiro Preca stated.
Both Presidents also discussed at length the urgent need for greater synergy between the business communities of both countries, as in this way, they shall be able to effectively, and efficiently, identify new opportunities for mutual growth and prosperity in the best interest of the people of Malta and Croatia.
Lastly, President Coleiro Preca said that she looks forward to welcoming President Grabar-Kitarović once again in September, to participate in the upcoming Arraiolos Group meeting in Malta which the President of Malta will be hosting. The high-level Arraiolos meeting brings together non-executive Heads of State from European Union countries, and provides a powerful platform to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the European Union, our region, and beyond. President Grabar-Kitarović will be joining the Group for the first time this year, and will be the second female President to join this group.
“I am convinced that the united commitment of our fellow Presidents, during the Arraiolos meeting, will provide an environment of active dialogue and collaboration,” the President said.
President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović commented on the strong relations which Malta and Croatia have, and said that she looks forward to exploring further areas where both countries can collaborate. President Grabar-Kitarović also extended her invitation to President Coleiro Preca for a state visit to the Republic of Croatia.