THE Philippines and Croatia successfully held their 5th Political Consultations on October 24, 2024, reaffirming the two countries’ diplomatic ties.
Held in Croatia capital Zagreb, the consultations, attended by delegations from the Philippines and Croatia, discussed methods to enhance cooperation through high-level visits, inter-parliamentary relations, trade and investment, maritime matters, defense, labor, science and technology, education, and tourism.
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and Asean Affairs Ma. Theresa Lazaro headed the Philippine delegation, while State Secretary for Political Affairs Frano Matušić of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs headed the Croatian delegation.
The Philippines also encouraged the exchange of business delegation visits and collaboration in creative industries, as well as the enhancement of people-to-people ties through university-to-university linkages and the establishment of Philippine studies programs in Croatian universities.
Also, the delegations had an open and candid exchange on various global and regional issues of concern, including developments in the Indo-Pacific, Middle East, Ukraine and the Balkans.
They noted the growing significance of the Indo-Pacific and Europe’s increasing interest and engagement in these areas.
On the West Philippine Sea issue, Undersecretary Lazaro thanked the EU through Croatia for its consistent support of international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the binding 2016 Arbitral Award favoring the Philippines.
Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to advancing bilateral initiatives and upholding a rules-based international order.
Affirming the Philippines’ commitment to strengthen relations with Croatia further, Lazaro invited the Croatian delegation to Manila for the 6th round of political consultations in Manila.
During Lazaro’s visit to Zagreb, she met with Deputy Speaker Željko Reiner of the Croatian Parliament and Director General for Political Affairs Petar Mihatov of the Croatian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs.
She delivered a lecture on Philippine Foreign Policy at the Diplomatic Academy of the Foreign Ministry.
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