Croatia–Philippines relations

Croatia–Philippines relations refers to the diplomatic relations that were established between Croatia and the Philippines on February 25, 1993,[1] soon after the Philippines recognized Croatia as an independent nation in 1992.[2] The two countries have links between their shipping industries, including port management, investment,[3] and seafarers,[4] and they propose to extend this to cooperation in shipbuilding and the navies.[1][5]

Croatia–Philippines relations

Croatia
Philippines

Agreements

In 1993 the governments signed an agreement abolishing the requirement for a visa for holders of diplomatic and official passports.[6]

In 1995, the governments reached an agreement on scientific and technological cooperation.[6]

In 2009, the governments signed an agreement on cultural cooperation.[6]

In 2009, the Croatian Ministry of Sports and the Philippine Board of Sports signed a memorandum on cooperation in the field of sports.[6]

In 2019, a memorandum of understanding was signed regarding defence cooperation.[7][8][9][10]

Representation

Neither country has a diplomatic mission in each other's territories. The Philippine Embassy in Vienna, Austria, is accredited to Croatia.[11] On the other hand, the Croatian ambassador accredited to the Philippines is based in the embassy in Indonesia.[12]

Meetings

In 2012, Croatia and the Philippines conducted their second political consultation in Manila.[1] This was conducted at the sub-ministerial level according to a protocol signed in 2005.[1] The meeting identified shipbuilding as a potential area of cooperation.[1]

In 2018, the third sub-ministerial meeting was held at the Croatian Mission to the United Nations, on the sidelines of the 73rd United Nations General Assembly.[13]

In 2019, Filipino defense secretary Delfin Lorenzana and Croatian deputy PM and minister of defense Damir Krstičević met in Split in Croatia and signed a memorandum of understanding for defense cooperation.[7]

Trade and investment

As of June 2012 trade between the two countries was valued at $4 million per annum.[1] The Philippines are investigating Croatia as a destination for fruit exports.[14]

International Container Terminal Services Inc., a Philippine port operation company operates Brajdica Container Terminal, the shipping container terminal at the Port of Rijeka, Croatia's largest port, and also owns a majority stake in Adriatic Gate Container Terminal, a Croatian port operation company.[3] The Philippine ambassador Lourdes Yparraguirre was present at the signing, and hailed the deal as "a major boost to enhancing bilateral relations between the vibrant economies".[15]

In 2018, a joint issue of commemorative stamps was released by both countries to commemorate the 25 year bilateral relationship.[16][17]

In 2019, the Philippines suspended any loan or grant negotiation or signing with Croatia and 17 other countries in response to their vote in support of a United Nations Human Rights Council resolution to investigate extrajudicial killings during the Philippine drug war.[18]

Military

In 2012, the Defence ministers of both countries met during an official Croatian delegation visit to the Philippines.[5] They discussed potential cooperation on military technology, shipbuilding, and between their respective navies, particularly in combating piracy.[5] They anticipated and stressed the importance of signing a Memorandum of Understanding between the countries regarding logistics and the defence industry,[5] eventually signed in 2019.[8] The memorandum covered cooperation across the fields of defense and security policy, military education, training and capacity building, military equipment, logistics and maintenance, defense industry and technology.[10] During the meeting, Croatia offered to build ships for the Philippine Coast Guard and overhaul existing ships, as well as pistols and assault rifles manufactured to NATO standards.[19]

See also

References
  1. "Philippines, Croatia hold second consultation in Manila". Xinhua News Agency. October 2, 2012. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  2. Malinao, Alito (May 22, 1992). "13 Italy-bound Filipinos nabbed in Yugoslavia". Manila Standard. Retrieved May 1, 2013.
  3. "ICTSI acquires 51% of Croatian port operator". abs-cbnNEWS.com. March 7, 2011. Retrieved May 1, 2013.
  4. Balana, Cynthia (June 25, 2009). "RP, Croatia sign pacts on cooperation". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on November 11, 2013. Retrieved April 23, 2013.
  5. "Croatian and Philippines Defence Ministers' talks on cooperation in defence industry". Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Croatia. October 2, 2012. Retrieved May 1, 2013.
  6. "Zbirka međunarodnih ugovora" (in Croatian). Republika Hrvatska Ministarstvo vanjskih i europskih poslova. Retrieved May 1, 2013.
  7. "PH, Croatia sign MOU for defense cooperation". Philippine News Agency. April 15, 2019. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
  8. Parameswaran, Prashanth (April 16, 2019). "What's in the New Philippines-Croatia Military Pact?". The Diplomat. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
  9. Mangosing, Frances (2019-04-15). "Philippines, Croatia sign MOU on defense cooperation". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
  10. Wakefield, Francis (2019-04-15). "PH, Croatia sign MOU on defense cooperation". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
  11. "New Permanent Representative of the Philippines Presents Credentials". United Nations Information Service. June 25, 2010. Archived from the original on October 2, 2015. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  12. "Croatian Embassy in Jakarta". Embassy of the Republic of Croatia, Jakarta. Archived from the original on May 4, 2013. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  13. "PH and Croatia Mark 25 Years of Diplomatic Relations, Commit to Strengthen Bilateral Ties". dfa.gov.ph. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
  14. Sauler, Erika (October 2, 2012). "Balkan folk may soon enjoy PH fruits". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  15. "ICTSI Wins Contract to Operate Croatian Port". Permanent Mission/Embassy of the Philippines in Austria. Archived from the original on June 27, 2013. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  16. "PH, Croatia Diplomatic Relations Anniversary Features Launch of First Joint Issuance of Commemorative Stamps". dfa.gov.ph. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
  17. "Hrvatska pošta – Postage stamp overview". www.posta.hr. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
  18. de Vera, Ben O. (September 20, 2019). "Duterte order shuns all loans, grants, aid from 18 countries backing probe of PH killings". Inquirer. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
  19. "Hrvatska Filipinima nudi gradnju i remont brodova te prodaju oružja". Večernji List (in Croatian). October 4, 2012. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
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