Croatian president backs Georgia’s territorial integrity during landmark visit

(Photo: Office of the President of Croatia/Marko Beljan)

Tbilisi, 12 February 2026 – Croatian President Zoran Milanović has expressed strong support for Georgia’s territorial integrity and criticised what he described as a “cynical” approach by parts of the European Union towards the country, during an official visit to Tbilisi.

Speaking after a meeting with Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili, President Milanović said Georgia deserves greater understanding and attention from Europe, highlighting its deep historical and cultural roots.

“A state, a community and a nation that in the 12th century had a poet such as Shota Rustaveli, at a time when many advanced and wealthiest European nations did not have such an elaborated level of art – deserves at least a little attention and understanding,” Milanović said.

Full Support for Territorial Integrity

The Croatian President stated clearly that he had come to Georgia to express solidarity in its efforts to maintain territorial integrity.

“I have come to express solidarity with Georgia in its efforts to be territorially whole, and in this it has my full support,” he said.

(Photo: Office of the President of Croatia/Marko Beljan)

Milanović noted that Georgia has faced a difficult geopolitical situation for many years. Instead of taking these circumstances into account when assessing Georgia’s path towards European Union membership, he argued that the country is being placed before “impossible dilemmas in a very cynical way”.

He was particularly critical of what he referred to as “European bureaucracy” in Brussels.

“I do not know exactly who makes up this Brussels bureaucracy, but they do not speak in my name, nor do I allow them to speak in my name or in the name of Croatia,” Milanović stated.

The Croatian President pointed out that no senior European Union leaders had visited Georgia during 2025, which he said influenced his decision to accept the invitation for an official visit.

“I wanted to see what kind of country this is that is being accused of pursuing a pro-Moscow political course,” he said.

Milanović noted that Georgia does not have diplomatic relations with Moscow, calling accusations that the government is acting as a “Moscow agent” counterintuitive and difficult to understand.

(Photo: Office of the President of Croatia/Marko Beljan)

He also referred to instances in which ministers from EU member states had visited Tbilisi to attend opposition protests.

“I am not taking sides between the government and the opposition here. I do not know these people. But the very idea that pressure would be exerted in such a forceful way on a small and, in many ways, isolated country facing serious challenges is unacceptable to me,” he said.

Strengthening Economic Cooperation

In addition to political discussions, economic cooperation featured prominently during the visit.

Milanović highlighted that Georgia is recording strong economic growth and positive development indicators. As a result, a delegation of leading Croatian business representatives accompanied him to Tbilisi.

“Representatives of major Croatian companies, with significant experience in technologically demanding projects across Western Europe, are interested in this market and in the wider Caucasus region,” he said.

A business forum is scheduled to take place, bringing together Georgian partners and representatives from Croatian companies including Končar, Podravka, Kraš, Franck and Sano.

(Photo: Office of the President of Croatia/Marko Beljan)

The visit signals growing interest in strengthening trade and investment ties between Croatia and Georgia.

In a personal message to his hosts, President Milanović drew parallels between Georgia’s situation and Croatia’s own recent history.

“I wish you to peacefully complete your territorial integrity. On a sentimental level, we stand by you, because we ourselves faced enormous hardships, although our opponent was somewhat less powerful than yours,” he said.

(Photo: Office of the President of Croatia/Marko Beljan)

President Milanović is on a two-day official visit to Georgia at the invitation of President Kavelashvili. He is accompanied by his wife, Sanja Musić Milanović.

Following a formal welcome ceremony and bilateral talks between the two presidents, delegations from Croatia and Georgia held expanded discussions.

During the official visit, a first to the country from a Croatian president, Milanović also met Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze. Further meetings are scheduled with Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili, and the Croatian President will lay a wreath at the Memorial to the Fallen Heroes at Heroes’ Square in Tbilisi.