ZAGREB, 10 Nov (Hina) – Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić Radman on Monday called for stronger trade cooperation with Indonesia, the world’s fourth most populous country, during an official visit to Jakarta.

Grlić Radman is only the second Croatian foreign minister to visit Indonesia since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1992.

After talks with his Indonesian counterpart Sugiono, he said bilateral trade remained modest but held significant potential for growth. He was accompanied by representatives of several Croatian companies, including Alan Agency, B.R.O.S.S., Agro Dalmacija, Eureka International, Inpirio, Infobip and Končar.

Grlić Radman said he had presented Croatia’s potential in defence, tourism, IT, agriculture, manufacturing and maritime infrastructure, adding that there were also opportunities for cooperation in the halal market.

He emphasised that Croatia’s geographic position and infrastructure made it a gateway to European markets, while Indonesia, as an influential ASEAN member, offered major opportunities for Croatian entry into Southeast Asia.

Both countries are candidates for membership of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, and Grlić Radman welcomed their mutual support and exchange of experience on that path.

The minister praised Indonesia as a nation that advocates global peace, stability and an international law-based order.

During his visit, he also met with Apostolic Nuncio Monsignor Piero Pioppo and ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn. Sugiono described the association of 11 Southeast Asian states as a strategic partner of the European Union.