In an effort to expand bilateral relations with Croatia, Swiss President and Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey spent Monday in Zagreb.

There she met Croatian President Ivo Josipovic to discuss increased cooperation between the two countries. This was the first meeting between the two countries at the presidential level.

According to the Swiss foreign ministry, Croatia is Switzerland’s second most important trading partner in south-eastern Europe.

“There is still a lot of potential for the further expansion of our bilateral relationship, for example, in terms of deeper political dialogue, economic relations or collaboration within international organisations,” said Calmy-Rey in a ministry statement.

According to the statement, the delegates discussed common interests such as peace, stability and prosperity in the region. Calmy-Rey welcomed Croatia’s post-war commitment to strengthening relations between the region’s states.

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