OPR- Thursday, 26th October, 2006

This morning, the President of the Republic of Croatia and Mrs Mesić welcomed the President and Mrs Fenech Adami at an Official Ceremony at the start of a two day State Visit.

The two Presidents confirmed that relations between the two countries were strong and that there is potential for further co-operation.  The President of Croatia  was pleased to recall that Malta was amongst the first countries that had extended formal recognition to the independent Republic of Croatia.

President Stjepan Mesić thanked Malta for supporting Croatia’s bid to join the European Union.  He said that the European Union is an opportunity for its member states to further develop and share their respective potentials. The Croatian President noted that Malta may take advantage of Croatian ports to have access to the markets of South-East Europe. In similar manner Croatia can have access to the markets of Northern Africa and the Middle East through Malta.

On his part, President Fenech Adami said that until 2004, Malta was concentrating on her own application to join the European Union. Croatia is spurred by similar motivations as Malta was to join the EU. The President confirmed Malta’s willingness to share with Croatia the experience it had gained from the negotiations process,  though sometimes it may not be easy. He was convinced that Croatia would be successful in her negotiations.

Late this morning, President Fenech Adami met the Speaker, Mr. Vladimir Ŝeks at his office in Parliament and with Cardinal Josip Bozanic, Archbishop of Zagreb.  Mrs Fenech Adami joined the President on a visit to the old part of Zagreb, the Upper Town and the Kaptol.

Earlier in the day, Mrs. Fenech Adami and Mrs. Milka Mesić  visited  a Nursing Home for the Elderly and Frail Persons and also Klovicevi Dvori Gallery.

After lunch the business delegation, accompanying the President, met their Croation counterparts at the Chamber of Commerce.  The delegation is composed of representatives of Malta Enterprise, Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise, Federation of Industry, Malta Employers’ Association, Air Malta, Malta Maritime Authority, Malta Stock Exchange, Engenuity Ltd, IML Group, Melita Marine Group, Pharabart Ltd., 2iLtd, Vernon Carrus, S & D Yachts Ltd., Link School of English, Bedra Ltd., Carmelo Caruana Co. Ltd., Hili Group of Companies, Motherwell Bridge Mediterranean and Vassallo Builders Group Ltd.

The Economic Forum was organized by the Economic and Cultural Diplomacy Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in conjunction with the Zagreb Chamber of  Commerce.

President Fenech Adami,  President Mesić  and Minister Michael Frendo, addressed the Forum.  An overview of the Maltese and Croatian economies was followed by one-to-one meetings on business opportunities in both countries.

The President of the Republic of Croatia and Mrs Mesić  hosted  the President and Mrs. Fenech Adami to a state dinner, concluding the first day of the State Visit.