Croatian Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic's visit to New Zealand will be an opportunity to develop trade and business links by building on the long-standing relationship between the two countries which is based around the strong Croatian community here, New Zealand PM John Key said on Wednesday.
"Croatia is the newest member of the European Union, and I look forward to discussing their perspective on the European region with Prime Minister Milanovic," said Key, as quoted by New Zealand media.
"The visit is also a chance to develop trade and business links by building on the long-standing relationship between our two countries which is based around the strong Croatian community here," he was quoted as saying.
"The extension last year of a visa waiver for Croatian visitors to New Zealand was a fitting recognition of our historic links and the growing relationship between New Zealand and Croatia," Key said. The waiver enables Croatian citizens to stay in New Zealand as tourists or on business for three months without a visa.
Milanovic will be given a traditional Maori welcome in Auckland on Friday, after which he will meet with Key, give a talk at Auckland University, and meet with opposition leader David Cunliffe.
Milanovic will meet with the Croatian community in Auckland on Saturday in Wellington on Sunday, which is the last stop of his Oceania tour.
New Zealand has a Croatian community of about 60,000. During the visit, a Working Holiday Scheme will be signed that will allow young people from New Zealand and Croatia to travel and work in each other's countries for up to a year.
(Hina)
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