Mr Péter Szijjártó, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade held bilateral discussions with his Croatian partner Mr Gordan Grlic-Radman Minister of Foreign and European Affairs on the 24th of April 2020. The meeting was held at the Hungarian-Croatian border crossing Letenye-Gorican and touched upon issues of bilateral cooperation and joint efforts in fighting the coronavirus pandemic. In his press statement, Mr Szijjártó emphasized that during the recent weeks of the corona crisis the two countries have demonstrated real friendship and mutual solidarity towards each other. He recalled the donation of the Hungarian Government provided for Croatia’s fight against the pandemic, which was composed of hundred thousand protective masks and further five thousand protective clothing. Hungary also played an active role in assisting the repatriation of sixteen Croatian citizens abroad. Likewise, Croatia were assisting in the repatriation of sixty-four Hungarian citizens. Hungarian Foreign Minister underlined the fact that Hungarians and Croatians are mutually interested in realizing shared success in terms of fighting the pandemic, but also in revitalizing our economies. In this context, he reminded the significant investments carried out by major Hungarian companies, like MOL. Minister also mentioned the agreement the two countries concluded at the end of March, 2020, on border control which granted the right to commute for certain groups of people on both sides of the border.
In his first notes, Gordan Grlic-Radman expressed the Croatian government’s solidarity towards the Hungarian nation in its efforts in fighting the pandemic. He expressed Croatia’s thanks to Hungary, and personal gratitude to Minister Mr Szijjártó, for all the donations provided for Croatian epidemic authorities and also for the reconstruction works in the aftermath of the March, 2020. historic earthquake in Zagreb. Minister Grlic-Radman noted with agreement the successful bilateral cooperation. In this regard, he especially highlighted the field of minority protection to which he referred to as exemplary and “as a jewel” of the bilateral diplomatic relations.
