FIJI AND CROATIA PLEDGE STRONGER PARTNERSHIP- (01-02-2022)

Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Yogesh Karan, yesterday received a courtesy call from the Non-Resident Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia to Fiji and the Pacific Island Region, Her Excellency, Betty Bernardica Pavelich, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters in Suva.

PS Karan congratulated Ambassador Pavelich on her new diplomatic role and reaffirmed the Fijian Government's commitment to work closely with Croatia to elevate engagements.

He acknowledged Croatia's collaboration with Fiji which is largely through the European Union (EU), with special mention of the EU's contributions through the COVAX facility, in the provision of life-saving vaccines which assisted Fiji in its economic recovery.

EU's assistance to Fiji in the aftermath of natural disasters and its commitment to the Oceans and climate change was also acknowledged at the meeting. PS Karan said the new Partnership Agreement between the EU and the Organisation for African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) which has been finalised will advance the political, economic and development cooperation over the next 20 years.

He noted that there are potential opportunities for collaboration that Fiji will pursue with Croatia in areas of Oceans, Climate, Tourism, Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), marine biotechnology and renewable energy.

PS Karan said with the reopening of Fiji's borders, the nation is focused on fostering private sector-led growth for greater investments and business opportunities through increased collaboration with global and regional development partners.

He extended the Fijian Government's best wishes to Ambassador Pavelich as she assumes her new role and thanked her for the timely visit to Fiji. In response, Ambassador Pavelich commended the Fijian Government for its commitment to reviving the tourism and business sector, whilst also rebuilding the Fijian economy from the impact of the pandemic and climate change.

She pledged Croatia's greater support to Fiji and the region in "Building Back Better" and her official visit to Fiji this week is an opportunity to interact with senior Government officials on the partnership that the two nations will pursue in the new normal.

Fiji and Croatia established their diplomatic relations in 1997 and the Visa reciprocal Agreement signed by the two nations in 2019, signifies the cordial relations between Pacific Islands and European nations.

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