CROATIA – GERMANY JOINT ISSUE

The Republic of Croatia and the Federal Republic of Germany are traditionally linked by close and friendly relations, developed and dynamic cooperation in many areas. As partner countries within the European Union, we are united by a commitment to preserving democratic values and a secure European future. The Danube river is a recognizable symbol of interconnectedness, reinforcing the awareness of the mutual economic, social and cultural links that point to even stronger synergies. The Danube, as the cradle of economic progress in urban and rural areas, has inspired numerous works of art, encouraged joint action to protect the environment and preserved the water and biodiversity of the fourteen countries gathered within the framework of the European Union Strategy for the Danube Region to promote economic, cultural and social development and to improve the quality of life for the approximately 115 million inhabitants of the region. In the context of complementary Croatian-German cooperation within the Strategy, the joint coordination of two priority areas is particularly emphasized: “Enhancing the competitiveness of enterprises and the development of economic clusters” in collaboration with the German Federal State of Baden-Württemberg and “Preserving biodiversity, landscape, air and soil quality” with the Bavarian Government. The multi-annual cooperation of the participating states of the European Union Strategy for the Danube Region, within these two priority areas, has resulted in outstanding projects for the well-being of the population and the natural environment of the Danube region. PhD Gordan Grlić Radman Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia