A Historic Welcome for Croatia’s First Foreign Minister Visit
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. received Croatia’s Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Gordan Grlić Radman, marking a landmark milestone as the first official visit to the Philippines by a Croatian foreign minister. The courtesy call at Malacañan Palace on Tuesday, October 14, highlighted a mutual commitment to strengthening ties that span trade, defense cooperation, and the welfare of overseas workers.
“Welcome to the Philippines, especially at this very important time,” the President told the Croatian envoy. He described the moment as the beginning of a “new chapter” in Philippine-Croatian relations and celebrated the opening of Croatia’s new office in Manila as a tangible sign of closer collaboration.
The exchange underscored the breadth of the relationship and signaled a shared appetite for expanded cooperation across multiple fronts. Radman thanked the Philippine leadership and people for the warm hospitality and emphasized that Croatia values its partnership with the Philippines, grounded in “shared values and mutual respect for international law.”
New Chapter in Trade, Defense, and People-to-People Ties
During Radman’s stay from October 12 to 14, he engaged with senior Philippine officials, including the Secretaries of Foreign Affairs, National Defense, and Migrant Workers, and also met members of Congress. The talks aimed to deepen cooperation in areas such as trade and investment, defense technology exchange, and the welfare of Filipino workers abroad in Croatia.
In a milestone moment, the opening of Croatia’s Honorary Consulate in Manila was announced, a development President Marcos described as a step that would “further strengthen diplomatic and people-to-people ties” between the two nations. The new outpost will facilitate cultural exchange, consular services, and business matchmaking that can benefit both countries’ economies and bilateral relations.
Focus on Ethical Recruitment and Worker Welfare
At the Ministry of Migrant Workers, Radman and State Secretary Ivan Vidiš joined Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac to inaugurate the Philippines–Croatia Friendship Week. The event foregrounded efforts to promote ethical recruitment practices and protect overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Croatia. The discussions explored frameworks to ensure safe, fair, and transparent employment opportunities for Filipino nationals, reinforcing a shared commitment to dignity and rights in labor mobility.
The collaboration aligns with broader regional and global efforts to uphold labor standards while expanding labor-mobility partnerships that can drive development in both countries.
Defense and Regional Dialogue
The defense dialogue took a concrete step forward with a meeting between Radman and Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro. The two discussed potential cooperation in the defense sector, including technology exchange and security dialogues, and explored Croatia’s participation in upcoming international defense exhibitions. While not a formal security pact, the conversations reflect a growing recognition of mutual interests in regional stability and defense innovation.
Radman also met with European Union Ambassador Mariam Massimo Santoro and the Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Charles J. Brown, signaling Croatia’s broader commitment to regional diplomacy and international cooperation beyond bilateral ties.
Historical Context and Future Prospects
The Philippines and Croatia established diplomatic relations on February 25, 1993. The current high-level engagement builds on nearly three decades of collaboration, expanding the scope to include new forms of economic partnership, people-to-people contact, and strategic dialogue. As both nations navigate a dynamic global landscape, the inaugural Croatian foreign minister visit could be the catalyst for sustained growth and shared prosperity.
