Türkiye holds great importance 'geostrategically': Croatian foreign minister

By Esra Tekin

ISTANBUL (AA) – Türkiye holds great importance geostrategically, the Croatian foreign minister said on Thursday, hailing Ankara’s efforts in ensuring peace and stability in the world.

“As an EU candidate country, it (Türkiye) holds great importance both geopolitically and geostrategically. It plays a very significant role. We closely see its contribution to ensuring peace and stability in the world,” Gordan Grlic Radman told a joint news conference with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan in Ankara.

On peace and stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina Radman said “we know how crucial Türkiye’s role is here."

Pointing to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Türkiye's 2024 trilateral meeting in Dubrovnik, Grlic Radman said: "I am confident that this cooperation will continue and be developed in these forums. I believe we will make significant progress with important efforts to preserve the integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina."

Radman also said that Croatia would like to do its share so that peace can be brokered in Ukraine.

- Bilateral ties

Highlighting economic relations between Türkiye and Croatia, Radman expressed his belief that bilateral trade, which exceeded $1 billion in the last three years, will continue to increase.

"I am especially happy to see many Turkish companies exploring the potential in Croatia. These companies are directing their investments here and making significant contributions,” said Radman, adding that Turkish companies will always be welcome in the Balkan country.

On defense industry cooperation, the Croatian minister said an agreement had been reached, and Zagreb will work to strengthen its cooperation with Ankara.

He also thanked Türkiye for its constant support of Croatia’s accession to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.

"All the issues we have shared with each other are of great importance. At the same time, it demonstrates how concerned we are about making the world we live in and are part of better, and how much we want to contribute to peace. We are having very important discussions in the field of international law,” he said.