Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Regional Development, Mr. Agon Dobruna, following the meetings with ambassadors of the Western Balkan countries in Kosovo, met today the Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia in Kosovo, Mrs. Danijela Barišić

The meeting with Deputy Minister Dobruna was attended by Mr. Ergin Bunjaku, Senior Advisor to the Minister of Regional Development, Mr. Fikrim Damka and Mr. Blerim Hasani, Director of the Department for Regional Socio-Economic Planning and Analysis. Whereas, from the other side, together with the Ambassador Barišić, Mr. Dedjeljko Špilek, First Secretary, was also present at the meeting.

Deputy Minister Dobruna and Ambassador Barišić discussed a number of topics related to the field of balanced regional development in Kosovo. In this context, Deputy Minister Dobruna briefed Ambassador Barišić on the mandate of the Ministry of Regional Development, the achievements of 2021 and the plans for 2022. One of the topics presented by Deputy Minister Dobruna related to 2022 was the organization of an international conference in the field of regional development which the MRD will hold on 24 - 25 March 2022, where the Republic of Croatia will also be invited. For this activity, Mr. Dobruna asks for cooperation from Mrs. Barišić, for organizing and processing invitations and other communications through the Embassy to the competent representatives of regional development of the Republic of Croatia. Also, Deputy Minister Dobruna, informed Mrs. Barišić, about the plan of Minister Damka regarding the realization of an official visit in the near future in Croatia.

After presenting the purpose of the meeting and topics of interest to both parties, Ambassador Barišić welcomed and positively assessed the organization of an international conference in the field of regional development, emphasizing that Croatia has made great achievements in this field and has something to present at the conference. Whereas, regarding the organization of the conference and the realization of communications with the representatives of the Republic of Croatia, Mrs. Barišić offered her willingness and readiness to cooperate. Finally, the issue of the Croatian minority community in Kosovo and their living conditions was mentioned and discussed. Deputy Minister Dobruna offered to Mrs. Barišić his willingness to continue the discussion and see the possibilities that through the respective municipalities where the Croatian community lives in Kosovo, but also other forms of support, to influence the advancement of living conditions of the community in question in all localities where they live in Kosovo. Finally, taking into account all the topics discussed and the will of the parties for cooperation, the parties agreed to hold other meetings and communications in the near future.