Speech by the President of the Republic Zoran Milanović at the opening of the Croatian-Slovak Business Forum

“I am pleased to welcome you to the opening of the Croatian-Slovak Business Forum, held as part of the official visit of the President of the Slovak Republic. Mr. President, your presence in Croatia, together with numerous representatives of Slovak business, clearly signals an interest in strengthening cooperation between our two countries.

The talks we held this morning were concrete, open, and substantive. Our bilateral relations are stable and free of any serious outstanding issues. Our historic and friendly ties go back 500 years, to the first arrival of Croats in Slovakia. This forum builds on those ties and demonstrates a willingness on both sides – both political and entrepreneurial – to deepen our relationship, particularly in the economic sphere.

I see that many industry representatives are present here today – from energy and e-mobility, agriculture, and information technology to the defense and paper industries. We are not just talking about one or two niche sectors, but rather a broad spectrum of areas where there is both opportunity and intent for real, measurable, and long-term cooperation – not merely declarative.

Croatia and Slovakia share similar experiences, not only as EU member states, but also in our political and economic development following the transformation and transition of our systems. We understand what it means to build institutions, attract investment, and foster entrepreneurship. In this context, I believe there is great potential for mutual learning and joint projects, especially in innovation, new technologies, and the industries of the future.

An economic strategy is the result of careful planning and analysis, and of aligning the interests of various stakeholders. From the EU level down to the national level, each participant follows their own interests. The key to success has always been the same: to find common ground and create win-win outcomes. I often say this – perhaps a bit bluntly or not always with perfect clarity – but I’ll repeat it: as a country, when pursuing national interests, you must be selfish. That does not mean acting unfairly toward others. No one else will care more about our interests than we do ourselves. Just as states must be assertive in pursuing their interests – which is healthy – so too must businesses assess cooperation opportunities rationally and with self-interest in mind, for mutual benefit. I believe you understand this, and I see it the same way. That doesn’t mean disregarding others’ interests, but rather seeking ways for those interests to align, support, and enhance each other.

Business forums are held with precisely this goal in mind and are an important part of economic engagement and business diplomacy. Use this opportunity to talk, explore prospects, and identify shared interests that benefit both our countries. Actively contribute to shaping the economic strategy of our already good relations. A successful economic strategy entails two elements: it creates market opportunities for businesses and, at the same time, generates quality employment opportunities for workers.

One thing must be kept in mind. EU funds offer us a chance to catch up with the EU’s core – with its financial center of gravity – but this “window of opportunity” is open now and won’t remain open forever. Croatia, along with Greece and Spain, is among the three countries that received the largest allocations from the Recovery and Resilience Plan. However, at the same time – according to European Commission analysis, which we should treat carefully but nevertheless convey – Croatia is not among the countries expected to gain the most in terms of GDP growth from these funds. The reason lies in low productivity, and to improve it, we need – among other things – private investment. We need business forums and partners who will use them to find joint interest for mutual gain. That, I repeat, is our interest – and we must take care of our own interests. Just as Slovakia must take care of its own interests.

I thank everyone involved in organizing this forum – the Croatian Employers’ Association, the Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency, the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Zagreb, and all those who recognized the significance of this event. I also thank the University of Zagreb and Rector Lakušić for their hospitality.

And finally – economic cooperation is not about formality. It is about interests, mutual understanding, and a willingness to collaborate. And that is clearly present here today. Thank you for that, and I wish you productive discussions and agreements, and success in your work.”