PH Ambassador Presents Credentials to Croatia
Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovi with Ambassador Maria Cleofe Natividad during the Presentation of Credentials ceremony at the Office of the President in Zagreb, Croatia on 07 September 2018. (Vienna PE photo)
VIENNA 09 October 2018 – The Philippines and Croatia aims to pursue deeper and stronger relations with Croatia in line with the independent foreign policy thrust of the Administration of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, which aims to open up new avenues of developing better relationships with non-traditional partners such as Croatia.
This was highlighted as Philippine Ambassador to Vienna Maria Cleofe Natividad presented her credential as non-resident Ambassador to the country and met with the key Croatian officials.
She presented her Letter of Credence as non-resident Ambassador of the Philippines to Croatia to President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović at the Office of the President in Zagreb on 07 September 2018.
Prior to the ceremony, Ambassador Natividad presented open copies of her credentials to the Chief of Diplomatic Protocol of the Croatian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs (Ministarstvo vanjskih i europskih poslova or MVEP) Emilia Vučinić-Margeta.
The Ambassador also called on Vice Skračič, Assistant Minister of the Directorate for Political Affairs at the latter’s office in the MVEP.
During her meetings with the Croatian officials, the Ambassador also broached ideas of potential collaboration in many cross-cutting areas, such as people-to-people and labor cooperation.
Given the boom in its tourism industry, Croatia has opened its doors for seasonal work in the services and hospitality sector, and companies have expressed preference for experienced Filipino workers.
She also touched on expanding cooperation in agricultural trade, both bilaterally and within regional organizations. Taking note of Croatia’s historic second place finish at the recently concluded FIFA World Cup in Russia last July, Ambassador Natividad expressed hope of undertaking projects in the fields of sports and culture under existing bilateral agreements as ways to stimulate Philippine-Croatia relations.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, which was formalized on 25 February 1993.
Aside from cultural and sports cooperation, the two countries have also concluded agreements to cooperate on matters concerning science and technology, as well as diplomacy.
Ambassador Natividad was accompanied by Philippine Honorary Consul General to Croatia Mr. Davor Stern during her calls and at the presentation ceremony. END
For more information, visit www.viennape.dfa.gov.ph/ www.philippine-embassy.at or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinAustria/ @PHLinAustria on Twitter
Ambassador Maria Cleofe Natividad signs the Guest Book at the Office of the President. (Vienna PE photo)
Ambassador Natividad and President Grabar-Kitarovi share a toast to stronger Philippine-Croatia relations. (Vienna PE photo)
Ambassador Maria Cleofe Natividad at the presentation of the open copies of her credentials to Chief of Diplomatic Protocol of the Croatian Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs Emilia Vučinić-Margeta. With the Ambassador was Philippine Honorary Consul General to Croatia Davor Stern. (Vienna PE photo)
Ambassador Maria Cleofe Natividad with Assistant Minister Vice Skračič of the Directorate for Political Affairs, during a call on the latter at the MVEP headquarters in Zagreb, Croatia. (Vienna PE photo)