Croatian and Italian presidents meet in Zagreb: ‘Strong ties and shared vision’

(Photo: Office of the President of Croatia/ Tomislav Bušljeta, Dario Andrišek)

President of Croatia Zoran Milanović met with the President of Italy  Sergio Mattarella in Zagreb on Monday during Mattarella’s official visit to Croatia.

The leaders praised the strength of bilateral relations and called for the European Union to continue acting as a peace project, both within and beyond its borders.

Following the meeting at the Office of the President, President Milanović emphasised the importance of the European Union as a peace-building force.

“We promote the European Union as a peace project, but globally, it is much less of one today than it once was. There are many questions and uncertainties. Still, if we look at it from the perspective of our own lives, our neighbourhood, and cooperation, the EU has been beneficial for both Croatia and Italy. It would be good if it could have the same positive impact more broadly,” Milanović said.

(Photo: Office of the President of Croatia/ Tomislav Bušljeta, Dario Andrišek)

He added that the relationship between modern Croatia and Italy is a concrete example of the EU’s peaceful role. “Looking at the relationship between the modern Croatian political nation and modern Italy, we can conclude that the EU has been a genuine peace project.”

Milanović described the meeting as meaningful and reflective of the high level of cooperation that has marked Croatian–Italian relations in recent decades.

“We have had a complex history over the centuries, but I think we can be happy with the developments of the past twenty years,” he stated.

(Photo: Office of the President of Croatia/ Tomislav Bušljeta, Dario Andrišek)

President Mattarella, returning to Zagreb a decade after his last visit, thanked President Milanović for the warm hospitality and noted the significant progress in bilateral ties.

“I am pleased to see how our cooperation has deepened over the past ten years – politically, economically, and culturally,” said Mattarella. He highlighted the importance of regular meetings at the governmental level, including bilateral ministerial sessions and trilateral meetings involving Croatia, Italy, and Slovenia.

(Photo: Office of the President of Croatia/ Tomislav Bušljeta, Dario Andrišek)

The role of national minorities was another key topic. Both presidents referred to the Italian minority in Croatia and the Croatian minority in Italy as “precious bridges of friendship” and a guarantee of ongoing cooperation. They agreed that minorities are not only carriers of shared values but also play a practical role in promoting collaboration at all levels.

European issues were also high on the agenda, with both leaders reaffirming their commitment to the European idea of peace.

“In a time marked by conflict and instability, Croatia and Italy share the same goals – building peace, stability, and cooperation on the international stage. Our bilateral partnership contributes to the broader European effort,” President Mattarella concluded.

(Photo: Office of the President of Croatia/ Tomislav Bušljeta, Dario Andrišek)

During his official visit to Zagreb, President Mattarella is also scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and Speaker of the Croatian Parliament Gordan Jandroković. He will lay a wreath at the Homeland Monument and meet with representatives of the Italian national minority in Croatia.

President Mattarella previously visited Croatia in 2015 during his first term. President Milanović paid an official visit to Italy in 2021, also during his first presidential mandate.

Italy remains Croatia’s second-largest foreign trade partner by the value of trade. In 2024, total trade between the two countries reached 8.41 billion euros, according to the Croatian Bureau of Statistics. Croatian exports to Italy amounted to 2.74 billion euros, while imports from Italy were valued at 5.67 billion euros.