Croatia and Spain have been developing a mutual collaboration over the last ten years which, favorably for both, has intensified in the last three years.
Following the changes that took place in 2000, Croatia quickly emerged from international isolation and entered the world political arena as a country with democratic values and a firm commitment to becoming a full member of the European democratic family. Meanwhile, it developed and normalized relations with its neighboring countries and focused its efforts on regional cooperation. Croatia also remained engaged with countries further afield, regardless of their continent of residence.
There are numerous similarities between Croatia and Spain, perhaps even greater than they might initially appear. Croatia is currently on its path toward Euro-Atlantic integration, a path Spain was on twenty years ago, and whose successful development will serve as an example for Croatia on its journey toward the EU.
Unfortunately, although trade has increased over the past three years, I must say that it is not at a satisfactory level for either country. Croatia has ports that could serve as a gateway for Spain to Central and Eastern European markets, and tourism and shipbuilding are some of the potential areas for collaboration. I am pleased to confirm that the number of Spanish tourists visiting Croatia is increasing, and I believe it will continue to do so in the future.
The current state of the Croatian economy is positive. Last year, GDP grew by 5,2%, and inflation is hovering around -2%.
The GDP per capita is US$5.100 and could reach US$6.000 by the end of the year, but I must say that we are not entirely satisfied with what we have achieved, and we are working on reforms and the development of our economy. Currently, Croatia is focusing its efforts on building new highways, because there can be no successful economic development without adequate infrastructure. Likewise, we are working on reducing the unemployment rate and developing exports.
Croatia gained its independence in the early 90s, but after the fall of the Berlin Wall and communism, it has not been able to focus on developing its market economy, as other countries in transition did, due to the brutal aggression it suffered for four years. I believe that Croatia's recent history is not unfamiliar to Spanish citizens, given that its soldiers participated in United Nations operations to ensure peace in the region.
Croatia's current objective is to join the European Union in 2007, and therefore it is aware of its responsibilities and determined to fulfill them, not only because the EU requires it, but first and foremost, for its own sake. Croatia is working to meet European standards, and not just rhetorically, because we know what we want and we must achieve it, because no one can remain isolated in a unified Europe.
On our journey towards Europe, we value the advice and experience of countries that have already gone through the same process, and for that reason, I believe that our Spanish friends will lend us a hand.
Croatia and Spain belong to the same group of Mediterranean countries, which means that we have to strive to preserve and develop it, and in that, collaboration and the exchange of experiences in environmental protection are important.
Our two countries have a significant collaboration in the cultural field, which can also be seen in the Croatian language and culture course that has been running in Spain for a year, and in the opening of the Cervantes Institute's virtual classroom in Zagreb.
These are the foundations worth building upon to improve collaboration between the two countries.
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