Croatian Minister of Foreign Affairs Gordan Grlić-Radman and Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi signed the MOU on Monday in a virtual ceremony.
By Aryeh Savir, TPS
Israel and Croatia signed a Memorandum of Understanding establishing a strategic partnership between the Foreign Affairs ministries, aiming to promote political and economic cooperation and strengthen relations in areas of mutual interest.
Croatian Minister of Foreign Affairs Gordan Grlić-Radman in Zagreb and Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi in Jerusalem signed the MOU on Monday in a virtual ceremony.
The signing of the document was agreed on during Grlić-Radman’s official visit to Israel in September, his first visit to to the country which came a few days after the marking of the 23rd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Both sides underlined the need to strengthen bilateral relations.
Knesset Speaker Levin urged Grlić-Radman to work towards relocating the Croatian embassy to Jerusalem.
“I consider the memorandum an important step forward in cooperation between Croatia and Israel. I am convinced that the strategic partnership will bring many benefits to our countries and citizens,” Grlić-Radman stated Monday.
Israel’s Ambassador to Croatia Ilan Mor, who was present at the signing ceremony, said that the agreement will “upgrade and enhance the cooperation between the two ministries, for the benefit of the two countries and peoples.”
The MOU states that Croatia and Israel will promote political and economic cooperation and strengthen relations in areas of joint interest, such as digital diplomacy, crisis communication, humanitarian and development aid to third countries, cooperation within EU programs and projects, cooperation in combating climate change, exchange of academics, experts and diplomats, and promotion of cultural cooperation.