PM, Croatian foreign minister discuss expanding cooperation across key sectors

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Croatian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs 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, saying Pakistan and Croatia enjoyed friendly relations based on mutual respect, goodwill, and shared 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 Secretary Amna Baloch also attended the meeting.

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

Radman thanked the prime minister for the warm welcome, describing 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 Foreign Office on X, the two sides discussed ways to expand cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture, labour mobility, visa facilitation, education, defence, climate change, tourism, infrastructure, and information technology.

They also exchanged views on various aspects of Pakistan-European Union cooperation, as well as regional and global issues of mutual interest.

The FO said both sides recognised that “connectivity lies at the heart of sustainable development, regional stability, and global economic integration” and discussed opportunities for collaboration 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 Foreign Office 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 are set to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral relations, according to a statement issued by the Foreign Office (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 Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Director General (Europe-I).

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 provide an opportunity for both sides to review bilateral ties and explore avenues for expanding cooperation in areas of shared interest.