Pakistan and Croatia Target Trade and Connectivity
Pakistan and Croatia are moving to deepen bilateral ties, focusing on trade expansion, port connectivity, and skilled labor mobility. Following a high-level meeting in Islamabad between Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Croatia’s Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman, both nations have agreed to revitalize economic cooperation and establish regular political consultations.
Leveraging Maritime Infrastructure for Market Access
Both nations recognize that current bilateral trade volumes remain below their full potential. According to the Foreign Office of Pakistan, the two sides have agreed to prioritize business-to-business (B2B) exchanges to boost commercial activity.
During the visit, officials discussed the potential for collaborative arrangements between the port of Karachi and Croatia’s maritime infrastructure. Minister Radman noted that Croatia, which operates nine strategic airports and six major maritime ports, could serve as a gateway for Pakistani cargo and international travel into the European market. The countries are also working to finalize several pending Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) covering sectors such as agriculture, information technology, tourism, and infrastructure.
Expanding Visa Services and Labor Pathways
A significant hurdle for bilateral movement has been the lack of a local visa processing center in Pakistan, as applicants currently must travel to Tehran for services. Both ministers confirmed that efforts are underway to expedite the opening of a Croatian visa facility in Islamabad.
In terms of labor, the two countries are exploring legal pathways for Pakistani skilled workers. Deputy Prime Minister Dar emphasized that creating safe, orderly, and regular migration channels is essential for protecting the rights of workers while dismantling human smuggling networks. This aligns with broader efforts to maintain Pakistan’s access to the European Union’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+), a framework that remains a cornerstone of Pakistan-EU economic relations.
Aligning on International Diplomatic Priorities
The meeting marked the first high-level visit from Croatia to Pakistan in a long time. Beyond bilateral trade, the ministers reviewed a range of international issues, including the war in Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, and regional stability in the Western Balkans.
Minister Radman expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts in promoting regional peace, specifically regarding mediation roles in recent international conflicts. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to the United Nations Charter and agreed to continue cooperation on multilateral platforms.
Formalizing Long-Term Diplomatic Consultations
To maintain the momentum of these discussions, the two foreign ministries have decided to make their existing MoU on bilateral political consultation fully functional. Pakistan has offered to host the first round of these formal consultations between the final quarter of 2026 and the first quarter of 2027. Additionally, Minister Radman invited Deputy Prime Minister Dar to attend the Dubrovnik Forum in late June 2027, further signaling a long-term commitment to strengthening the partnership between Islamabad and Zagreb.
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