Minister Grlić Radman officially visits Israel

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman on Wednesday paid an official visit to Israel at the invitation of Alternate Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, and held talks with President Isaac Herzog and Knesset Speaker Mickey Levy.

Grlić Radman is the third EU foreign minister to pay an official visit to Israel during the new government's term of office. Following the signing of a strategic partnership agreement between Croatia and Israel's foreign ministries in December 2020, today's talks focused on confirming and strengthening the partnership with Israel's new government with the aim of formalising strategic relations at the government level. In that context, agreement was reached to launch a joint economic committee to identify areas of cooperation and projects of mutual interest. Also agreed was cooperation in preparations for Croatia's presidency of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance in 2023, which will allow Croatia to show its leadership in the fight against antisemitism, Holocaust denial and distortion, as well as in the prevention of any form of intolerance and hate speech. The Israeli officials welcomed Croatia's wish to chair the alliance with the aim of strengthening and promoting Holocaust education, remembrance and research.

Grlić Radman underscored that Croatia was a reliable partner, which sees an important ally and friend in Israel, both bilaterally and within the EU and other regional and global forums.

The minister also discussed the situation in Croatia's southeast neighbourhood and welcomed the new Israeli government's commitment to the strengthening of dialogue and peace agreements in the Middle East.

Lapid said that Grlić Radman's visit was an opportunity to discuss the advancement of close and friendly bilateral relations, trade framework, cooperation within international organisations and other issues of mutual interest. In addition, the two officials discussed the EU-Israel relations, with Grlić Radman underlining Croatia's support for holding a meeting of the EU-Israel Association Council as soon as possible.

During his official visit to Israel, Grlić Radman also met with the Head of the Israel National Cyber Directorate, Yigal Unna, and External Affairs Director of the Yad Vashem Holocaust Remembrance Centre Yossi Gevir.