China Considers Croatia a Friend and Partner in Europe

Croatia’s Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Vesna Pusić began the third day of her official visit to China with a meeting with China’s Deputy Prime Minister Zhang Gaoli.

“Croatia is our friend and partner in Europe and we appreciate that you are actively supporting the One-China policy,” Zhang said, adding that the Chinese authorities support the interest of their companies in investing in Croatia’s infrastructure projects. “We are ready for cooperation on the construction of industrial zones in Croatia, particularly because Croatia has a very important geographical position in Europe. We will also encourage the arrival of Chinese tourists in Croatia, as I’ve heard you have excellent tourism resources,” said Zhang.

Zhang congratulated Croatia on entering the EU, adding that China and Croatia would soon mark 10 years since the signing of a joint statement on stimulating overall relations. Speaking about China’s economic growth, he said this year GDP had grown by 7.5% – a trend that is expected to continue the next year as well.

Pusić said Croatia’s location offered numerous possibilities, both for ourselves and the region. “Croatia and China can cooperate on four key levels given that we are a member of the EU, and part of the region with which China is cooperating through the initiative ‘China and 16 countries of Central and Eastern Europe’, as well as bilaterally and within the frameworks of the UN,” Pusić said.
She added cooperation was also possible in the reconstruction and development of the railway infrastructure in Croatia, having in mind the high-speed rail in China. Apart from economy, Pusić highlighter other fields where cooperation was possible, such as science and culture, announcing that the Croatian culture minister would visit China in the near future. The Croatian tourism minister also plans to visit China and present investment possibilities.

This visit concludes Pusić’s stay in Beijing, after which she is to leave for Shanghai where she is scheduled to meet with its mayor and visit Pudong, while Deputy Minister Klisović will meet with representatives of business community to present Croatia’s investment and export opportunities. (Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs)