Minister Grabar-Kitarović informed Minister Steinmeier about the reforms Croatia was conducting to join the EU and NATO, as well as with the instruments and actions that have been going on for a few years now to harmonise the legislature with the acquis communautaire. Minister Grabar-Kitarović thanked her colleague for the assistance Germany had been offering so far, pointing out that Croatia wanted the process to be as efficient as possible and based on experiences of the EU members. Minister Grabar-Kitarović familiarised Minister Steinmeier with the progress of the Croatian legislature’s screening and the expected dynamics of that process during Austria’s EU presidency, stressing the importance of the pre-accession funds. Minister Grabar-Kitarović reviewed Croatia’s proposal, agreed upon by all CEFTA members, that CEFTA provided a framework for the economic co-operation between the countries of a wider SEE region. Within the context of regional co-operation, Minister Grabar-Kitarović pointed out that Croatia, which has already proven itself as a reliable partner in the stabilisation process and the strengthening of prosperity, could carry the stability in the region.

Minister Steinmeier communicated Germany’s support to the reforms Croatia was conducting on its way to the Euro-Atlantic integration and expressed his satisfaction with the dynamics of the EU membership negotiations. Minister Steinmeier reiterated that the very good relations between Croatia and Germany were the foundation for the partnership relations between the two countries in the regional stabilisation process.

During her official visit to Germany, Minister Grabar-Kitarović also met with Minister of State at the German MFA Gernot Erler, Minister of State for Europe at the German MFA Günther Gloser, Head of the Bundestag’s European Affairs Committee Matthias Wissmann, and Head of the Foreign Policy Directorate at the Chancellors Office Christoph Heusgen. Minister Grabar-Kitarović informed them about Croatia’s process of joining the Euro-Atlantic integration.

Minister Grabar-Kitarović and Minister Steinmeier signed the Agreement on the Avoidance of Double Taxation between the Government of the Republic of Croatia and the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Joint Statement between the two governments on the continuation of the civic co-operation within the German contingent in Afghanistan.