The reception was inaugurated by His Excellency Mr. Gordan Bakota, the Croatian Ambassador to Germany, who underscored the critical importance of furthering economic relations between the two nations. In his speech, Ambassador Bakota highlighted the robust potential for collaboration, particularly in the context of the nearly 500,000 Croats residing in Germany, and the growing interest among German businesses in investing in Croatia. He expressed his unwavering support for initiatives that seek to promote partnerships, foster new opportunities, and strengthen ties between the two countries.

Ambassador Bakota also reaffirmed the Embassy’s role as an open and welcoming institution for any similar endeavours from the Croatian community, particularly those that contribute to the strengthening of bilateral relations across a variety of sectors. His words resonated with the audience, signalling the Embassy’s readiness to continue fostering meaningful exchanges between the two countries.

The spotlight then shifted to the representatives of the German-Croatian Forum, Maja Vukšić and Marc Pruem, who presented the mission, goals, and vision of the Forum. The German-Croatian Forum is an initiative designed to act as a bridge between Croatian and German entrepreneurs, institutions, and professionals, promoting new avenues of cooperation and creating a network that thrives on mutual trust and respect. Ms. Vukšić emphasized the Forum’s role as a platform for creating new business opportunities, fostering growth, and building long-lasting partnerships.

Mr. Pruem took the opportunity to highlight the impressive economic progress Croatia has made in recent years, pointing to strong macroeconomic indicators that present Croatia as an increasingly attractive destination for German investors. His presentation brought attention to the potential for expanding economic ties and how the Forum serves as an important catalyst for this growth.

A notable addition to the event was the speech by Josip Juratović, a Member of the German Bundestag and a member of the German-Croatian Parliamentary Group. Mr. Juratović spoke passionately about the political cooperation that plays a crucial role in enhancing economic relations between Germany and Croatia. He stressed the importance of ongoing dialogue between the political and business communities of the two countries, within the broader framework of the European Union, which both nations share. His comments served to emphasize the interconnectedness of political and economic cooperation, reinforcing the idea that both are vital to the success of future collaborations.

The event, hosted and promoted by the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia, served not only as a celebration of Croatian-German relations but also as a stepping stone for future endeavours aimed at economic and cultural exchange. It was a remarkable opportunity to present the plans and aspirations for continued cooperation, focusing on strengthening economic ties, fostering a deeper understanding among key players in various sectors, and expanding the scope of partnerships.

The event underscored the vital role that embassies play in promoting diplomatic initiatives that facilitate long-term, sustainable relationships between countries. The Croatian Embassy, through its support of the German-Croatian Forum, demonstrated its commitment to nurturing this bond and working alongside the Croatian community and German partners to pave the way for a prosperous future in all areas of mutual interest.

• - https://mvep.gov.hr/nachrichten-91528/vorstellung-des-deutsch-kroatischen-forums-in-der-botschaft-der-republik-kroatien/274719