Chargé D’affaires a.i. Attends the President’s Reception for Heads of Diplomatic Missions and International Organizations Accredited to the Republic of Croatia…

Mr. Amer Al-Fatlawi Chargé D’affaires a.i.  attended a reception hosted by the President of the Republic of Croatia Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović for the heads of diplomatic missions and international organizations accredited to the Republic of Croatia, thanking them for their efforts and dedication, as well as their commitment in developing even stronger ties between their respective countries and Croatia in the Pantovčak presidential palace.

In her address, the President reflected on her mandate and said she strived to fulfil her constitutional role in co-creating a foreign policy which is always forward-looking and proactive in its approach. “I devoted my mandate to promote relations between Croatia and your respective States – many of which I have visited, or received your Heads of States and other dignitaries in Croatia,” the President remarked, adding that diplomacy was and remains in her view a key asset in connecting our countries and cultures, our peoples and businesses.

President Grabar-Kitarović noted that we are opening the new decade with local, European and global challenges, but also with immense opportunities. Speaking about the future of Croatia and Europe, she recalled that she has on many instances emphasized the need for European consolidation. In this regard, the President said she is proud of one of the achievements of her Presidency, the Three Seas Initiative – which has gathered 12 EU Member States and is aimed at overcoming the inherent imbalances within the EU, annulling the artificial division between “old” and “new” Member States, and consolidating Europe, its market and territory. “Today, the Three Seas countries are contributing to enhanced EU unity, increased EU cohesion and coherence, as well as further EU integration,” President Grabar-Kitarović emphasized.

The President also reflected on her project entitled “Sense Croatia”, which gave an opportunity to members of the diplomatic corps to join her in visiting different areas of Croatia – not just to see the country’s beauty – but to witness its accomplishments and development and to meet Croatian people from various regions and walks of life.

The President underscored that she has worked diligently on branding Croatia, both internally and externally. Furthermore, she pointed out that stemming from her efforts and those of the current Government “…we have managed to put demography high also on the EU agenda, so we can all tackle this issue together.”

Moreover, President Grabar-Kitarović said she is convinced that as the first female President of Croatia and Chair of the Council of Women World Leaders, she has helped many young women break their own glass ceilings by inspiring them, motivating them and showing them what is possible.

The President of the Republic ended her address by wishing the heads of diplomatic missions and international organizations accredited to the Republic of Croatia a successful remainder of their postings. She expressed her belief that they will continue to build bridges and understanding between our countries and peoples to our mutual benefit.