Press release
Minister Byrne welcomes Croatia’s State Secretary for Europe Metelko Zgombić
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
Minister of State, Thomas Byrne, today met for consultations with his Croatian colleague, State Secretary for Europe, Ms. Andreja Metelko Zgombić, who is paying a working visit to Ireland:
"I am delighted to welcome my good colleague, State Secretary Metelko Zgombić, to Dublin and look forward to discussing the war against Ukraine arising from Russia’s unjust aggression as well as other important current issues on the EU agenda.
"Croatia is an important EU partner with whom we enjoy excellent bilateral relations and like-minded with us in seeking to advance the Enlargement prospects of countries in the Western Balkans so this will also be another important topic in our discussions."
In addition to bilateral relations and the respective support efforts underway to help Ukraine at this time, Minister Byrne and State Secretary Metelko Zgombić will also review the overall situation in the Western Balkans with particular reference to recent developments in Bosnia-Herzegovina while Minister Byrne will also update on EU-UK relations, including the Northern Ireland Protocol.
State Secretary Metelko-Zgombić’s visit comes just days after a St. Patrick's Day visit to Croatia by Minister of State with responsibility for Skills and Further Education Niall Collins, and helps to build on the already strong relationship between our two countries.