President Milanović to Meet North Macedonian President During Official Visit to Croatia on Tuesday
At the invitation of President Zoran Milanović, the President of the Republic of North Macedonia, Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, is arriving in the Republic of Croatia for an official visit. The official meeting between the two Presidents will take place on Tuesday at the Office of the President of the Republic, where they are expected to discuss bilateral relations between the two countries, the situation in Southeast Europe, the continuation of the European integration process of Southeast European countries, as well as current global issues and challenges.
Relations between Croatia and North Macedonia are traditionally friendly, with no outstanding political issues. Croatia continuously supports North Macedonia’s European perspective and is among the EU member states that strongly advocate the opening of EU accession negotiations with North Macedonia. The friendly and positive relations between the two countries are also reflected in a series of high-level meetings held in recent years. President Milanović paid an official visit to North Macedonia in May last year, the Prime Minister of North Macedonia visited Zagreb in August 2024, and meetings have also taken place at parliamentary and ministerial levels.
Economic relations between Croatia and North Macedonia are also showing a positive trend. According to data from the Croatian Bureau of Statistics, trade in goods increased last year to a total of EUR 337 million, with Croatia recording a trade surplus, as exports to North Macedonia exceed imports from that country.
A meeting between the President of North Macedonia and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia is also scheduled, and during her official stay in Zagreb she is expected to deliver a lecture at the Faculty of Law of the University of Zagreb.
According to the latest census, around 3,500 Macedonians live in Croatia, and around ten associations of the Macedonian national minority are active in the country. Macedonians are represented in the Croatian Parliament, as MP Armin Hodžić also represents the interests of the Macedonian national minority. During her official stay in Zagreb, President Siljanovska-Davkova will also meet with representatives of the Macedonian community in Croatia.