Trade between Malta and Croatia was one of the main topics discussed between President of Malta Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca and the President of the Republic of Croatia Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, as President Coleiro Preca began her official engagements during a historical state visit to Croatia—as not only is it the first state visit by a Maltese head of state to Croatia, “but it is also historical as it is not often that two European Union female Presidents come together, as we are too few women at this level.”
Both Presidents addressed a joint press conference following talks, which they led together with their respective delegations.
The President said that the visit to Croatia, together with the strong official and trade delegation, which she is leading, is evidence of Malta’s commitment to continue to build on the excellent bilateral relations which exist between Malta and Croatia.
President Coleiro Preca further explained that this state visit “continues to build on President Grabar-Kitarović’s state visit to Malta last year”, adding that it aims to continue to create ideal opportunities to intensify the excellent political and diplomatic relations, as well as to develop further economic and social relations between both countries.
The President also affirmed the Maltese Government’s political will to explore further opportunities to develop beneficial collaborations between Malta and Croatia, a fact that is evident through the presence of the Minister for the Family, Children’s Rights and Social Solidarity, the Parliamentary Secretary for Reforms, Citizenship and Simplification of Administrative Processes, and the Parliamentary Secretary for Planning and the Property Market, all forming part of the President’s official delegation.
“The respective positions of both our countries within the European Union, in its southern and eastern regions, makes us ideal collaborators and not competitors”
The President stated that the presence of a strong and diverse business delegation from the Maltese islands is also evidence of the commitment which both Malta and Croatia feels towards developing sustainable collaborations and potential partnerships to ensure prosperity for the peoples of Malta and Croatia.
President Coleiro Preca said that the visit to Croatia comes at a most important time “when Malta is experiencing significant economic growth, and when our businesses are seeking investment opportunities further ashore”, adding that the Maltese and Gozitan businesses present are doing so to seek worthwhile collaborations and sustainable partnerships “for the mutual benefit of both our businesses and peoples.”
The President also highlighted a recent important development which occurred recently owing to the situation of practically full employment in Malta, that is, the lifting of restrictions for Croatian workers to take up job opportunities in Malta, like the many thousands of workers from across Europe who are already doing so.
The President also praised the upcoming signing of an agreement of cooperation between the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry and the Croatian Chamber of Economy, saying that this will lead to fruitful opportunities in many sectors.
“It is clearly evident that our countries are eager to work even more closely with each other, and my state visit aims at developing our already excellent diplomatic and political relations, into tangible results for our trade and businesses to flourish”, President Coleiro Preca said.
Bringing people together, developing friendships, and subsequently, sustainable peace
President Coleiro Preca and President Grabar-Kitarović discussed various business sectors, including the areas of financial services, digital games, education and training in various sectors, such as healthcare, transhipment and logistics, tourism and hospitality, and the teaching of English as a foreign language, amongst others.
The President said that tourism, hospitality, and the teaching of English and a foreign language are areas in which Malta has achieved international excellence, stating that “these areas are not only an opportunity for economic growth, but they are also a means of bringing people together to develop friendships and subsequently, sustainable peace.”
The President also called for the prioritisation of the work for peace and prosperity, “bilaterally and within our European family of nations”, at a time when uncertainty reigns across the board.
“Let us, therefore, continue to enhance peace and prosperity across our regions, as one united family, which includes the peoples of Europe. It is these values, of peace and prosperity, which define Malta and Croatia as nations of goodwill. This puts further responsibility on countries like us to work arduously towards these values”, President Coleiro Preca said.
In concluding, the President said that the values of peace and prosperity are fundamental to the stability of the European family of nations, adding that “we must continue to work tirelessly to ensure that the European Union strengthens its unity for the benefit of all European peoples and all humanity.”