Prime Ministers of Ukraine and Croatia tackle intensifying cooperation in trade, tourism and digitalization

The Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal and Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia Andrej Plenković discussed the deepening of cooperation in the trade, economic, tourism, digitalization and education spheres.

The meeting was also attended by Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine Serhii Shkarlet, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Mykola Tochytsky, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia Gordan Grlić Radman, Minister of Science and Education of Croatia Radovan Fuchs.

Denys Shmyhal stressed that Ukraine and Croatia have significant prospects for the development of bilateral trade and economic relations. Currently, the countries are demonstrating an increase in trade turnover. Thus, in the first nine months of 2021, the total turnover of goods and services between Ukraine and Croatia amounted to $90.1 million, which is more than 24% more than against the showings of 2020.

"We are interested in intensifying trade and economic cooperation with Croatia in the traditional sectors of our economies, further removing barriers to bilateral trade and simplifying conditions for doing business, as well as in launching bilateral cooperation in new areas, including digitalization and coordination of efforts in the fight against the pandemic," the Prime Minister of Ukraine stressed.

According to Denys Shmyhal, the common interest for Ukraine and Croatia may be in the field of information technology and digitalization. The PM added that Ukraine seeks to join the single European digital market, modern technologies and the world market.

"Digitalization is one of the main vectors of development of the Ukrainian economy in the coming years. I am convinced that our experience in this area can be useful to Croatian partners," said the Head of the Ukrainian Government.

The Prime Minister of Ukraine considers it promising for both countries to step up cooperation in the metallurgical and shipbuilding sectors, in the areas of agribusiness, including irrigation, as well as in the energy sector. The Head of the Ukrainian Government stressed on the importance of connecting the Ukrainian energy system to the European ENTSO-E in the context of ensuring energy security in Europe.

Apart from that, Denys Shmyhal stressed that the tourism industry occupies an important place in the bilateral relations between Ukraine and Croatia.

"We strive to develop the tourist flow and reach a new level of cooperation so that Ukrainians and Croats can experience all the benefits of recreation in our countries. Ukraine has concluded a Common Aviation Area Agreement with the EU. This will give impetus to the development of aviation and open new opportunities for our citizens," said the Head of the Government of Ukraine.

For his part, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković noted that Croatia supports Ukraine’s aspirations for integration into the European Union and seeks to share its experience. According to him, Croatia will support the presence of Ukrainian companies in the Croatian market. Andrej Plenković also added that they will facilitate the opening of offices of Croatian travel agencies in Ukraine.

The Prime Minister of Ukraine thanked Croatia and Andrei Plenkovich for joining the Crimean Platform founders in August this year and for Croatia's unwavering stance on non-recognition of Russia's attempt to annex the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.

According to Denys Shmyhal, Ukraine highly appreciates Croatia's readiness to share the experience of peaceful reintegration of the temporarily occupied territories and post-war rehabilitation of the state.