Croatia will push for EU-Turkey dialogue, says PM

Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic met with Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu on Monday, telling him that during its European Council presidency in the first half of 2020, Croatia would continue to push for constructive dialogue and cooperation between the EU and Turkey, the government said in a press release.

Plenkovic presented the priorities of Croatia's presidency, and underlined the importance of implementing the EU-Turkey migration control agreement.

He said over 6,500 police officers protected the Croatian border, making a big contribution to the prevention of illegal migration.

Soylu informed Plenkovic about Turkey's efforts to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and terrorism.

The two officials said they were pleased with the good political relations between Croatia and Turkey, which have been developing since Croatia gained independence, the government said.

Plenkovic said trade and Turkish investments in Croatia were increasing, and pushed for enhancing bilateral cooperation.

Plenkovic said the way the relations between the government and the Islamic Community in Croatia were regulated and the community's status in Croatian society could serve as an example to many countries.

Soylu congratulated Plenkovic on the election of Croatian Foreign Minister Marija Pejcinovic Buric as Council of Europe secretary-general.

Soylu also met with Croatian Interior Minister Davor Bozinovic to sign a memorandum on cooperation between the two countries' police academies.

Text: Hina



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