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Qatar - Croatia relations

Qatari - Croatian bilateral relations

 

The political and diplomatic relations between the two countries, and since their establishment, have been characterized by cordiality and friendship that did not disturb any of the outstanding issues or issues. However, the economic relations did not keep pace with this path, as there are no Qatari investments in Croatia, according to the information available to the embassy, ​​despite the Croatian side's tireless efforts to attract investments through joint meetings. As for the Gulf crisis, the Croatian foreign policy has always moved within the framework of the European Union’s directions in general. The Croatian government has taken a positive neutrality towards the Gulf crisis, as the Croatian Foreign Ministry issued a statement appealing to resolve the conflict by peaceful means and on the basis of the Kuwaiti initiative, the text of which is:

“The Croatian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs is closely following the developments in the Persian Gulf, expressing its regret over the situation that led to the severing of good-neighborly relations between the Arab countries, most of which belong to the international coalition to fight the Islamic State.The Croatian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs is closely following the developments in the Persian Gulf, expressing its regret over the situation that led to the severing of good-neighborly relations between the Arab countries, most of which belong to the international coalition to fight the Islamic State.

We express our support for resolving the crisis through negotiation and dialogue in the spirit of the month of Ramadan and the ethics inspired by it. The Croatian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs welcomes the Kuwaiti initiative seeking to overcome differences and division, which represents the public interest of the entire Persian Gulf region and all united countries in the joint war on terrorism”.

 

An overview of the course of relations between the two countries since its establishment

 

  • Diplomatic relations were established between the State of Qatar and the Republic of Croatia on December 5, 1992
  • The State of Qatar is the first country among the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council, and still the only one, that establishes direct diplomatic relations with the Republic of Croatia. The Embassy of the State of Qatar was inaugurated in Zagreb at the beginning of 2013, while the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia in Doha was opened in November of 2012 as its first embassy in the Arabian Gulf region, and then its second embassy was opened in the State of Kuwait in October of 2018.
  • The State of Qatar is currently represented in the Republic of Croatia by H.E. Ambassador Mrs. Asma Naji Al-Amri.
  • The Republic of Croatia is represented in the State of Qatar by His Excellency Ambassador Drago Lovrec - (Resident Ambassador).
  • In May 2012, Qatar Airways started its direct flights to Zagreb via Budapest, bringing the number of flights to two per day, to return to two flights per week due to the pandemic.
  • The Islamic Center was built in the city of Rijeka with an amount of 8 million euros, which is a support from the State of Qatar.
  • The scholarships offered annually to pilgrims from Croatia to the Holy House of Allah have benefited 6 individuals in 2009 and 10 individuals in 2011, with the cost of pilgrimage being €3,300 per person.
  • The State of Qatar, through the embassy, ​​provided in-kind donations of medical devices and equipment to the main maternity hospital in the capital, Zagreb, from Qatar Charity during the past year, amounting to $200 000.
  • In addition to 10 scholarships for students from the Republic of Croatia who received free education at state universities in Doha, two additional scholarships were allocated on September 19, 2013.
  • The number of citizens of the Republic of Croatia residing in Doha is about 500 people.

 

The most important mutual visits

First: The Qatari side

 

  • His Highness the Amir Sheikh / Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, visited the Republic of Croatia on 18th -19th November 2018, at the invitation of the (former) President of Croatia / Mrs. Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic. The two sides discussed all issues of concern to the two countries, in addition to signing eight (8) agreements and memorandum of cooperation between the two sides.
  • His Highness the Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser paid an official visit to the Republic of Croatia during the period 22nd -23rd April 2009. During his meeting with former Croatian President Stjepan Mesic, His Highness stressed that there are many opportunities for cooperation between the two countries that should be exploited for the benefit of the Qatari and Croatian peoples.
  • The visit of His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh / Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and Her Highness Sheikha / Moza bint Nasser "may God protect them" to the city of Šibenik and Rijeka on a private visit during the period from 07th -08thAugust 2015  at the invitation from the President of the Republic of Croatia.
  • زيارة حضرة صاحب السمو الأمير الوالد الشيخ / حمد بن خليفة آل ثاني وسمو الشيخة / موزة بنت ناصر "حفظهما الله" إلى مدينة شيبينيك ورجيكا في زيارة خاصة خلال الفترة من 07-08 / 08 / 2015 م بدعوة من رئيس جمهورية كرواتيا.
  • The visit of His Highness the Father Emir Sheikh / Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and Her Highness Sheikha / Moza bint Nasser "may God preserve them" to the city of Šibenik and Rijeka on a private visit during the period from 07-08/08/2015 AD based on an invitation from the President of the Republic of Croatia.
  • زيارة حضرة صاحب السمو الأمير الوالد الشيخ / حمد بن خليفة آل ثاني وسمو الشيخة / موزة بنت ناصر "حفظهما الله" إلى مدينة شيبينيك ورجيكا في زيارة خاصة خلال الفترة من 07-08 / 08 / 2015 م بناء على دعوة من رئيس جمهورية كرواتيا.
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  • His Excellency Dr. Ahmed Al-Marri, Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, visited Croatia in October 2009, where he laid the foundation stone for the Islamic Center in Rijeka, where he was warmly received by Croatian officials, expressing the depth of the friendly relations between the two countries.
  • The visit of His Excellency Dr. Ghaith bin Mubarak Al Kuwari - Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs to the Republic of Croatia and his accompanying delegation from 26th -28th April 2016 to participate in the centenary celebration of the recognition of the Islamic religion in the Republic of Croatia.
  • His Excellency Dr. Khalid bin Muhammad Al-Attiyah, Minister of State for Defense Affairs, paid an official visit to the Republic of Croatia, from 1st -3rd  June 2016.
  • His Excellency Major General (Pilot) Ghanem bin Shaheen Al-Ghanim - Chief of Staff of the Qatari Armed Forces visited the Republic of Croatia alongside the delegation accompanying His Excellency in the period from 12th -15th June 2014 .
  • His Excellency Major General (Pilot) Ghanem bin Shaheen Al-Ghanim - Chief of Staff of the Qatari Armed Forces visited the Republic of Croatia alongside the delegation accompanying His Excellency in the period from 12-15/06/2014 AD.
  • قام سعادة اللواء (طيار) غانم بن شاهين الغانم - رئيس أركان القوات المسلحة القطرية بزيارة جمهورية كرواتيا والوفد المرافق لسعادة في الفترة من 12-15 / 06/2014 م.
  • His Excellency Major General (Pilot) / Ghanem bin Shaheen Al-Ghanim - Chief of Staff of the Qatari Armed Forces visited the Republic of Croatia alongside the delegation accompanying His Excellency from 12-15/06/2014 AD.
  • قام سعادة اللواء طيار / غانم بن شاهين الغانم - رئيس أركان القوات المسلحة القطرية بزيارة جمهورية كرواتيا والوفد المرافق لسعادة في الفترة من 12-15 / 06/2014 م.
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  • His Excellency Dr. Mohamed bin Saleh Al-Sada visited the Republic of Croatia to sign a Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in the field of energy technology between the Ministry of Energy and Industry of the State of Qatar and the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Croatia in December 2013.

 

 

Second: The Croatian side

 

  • Former Croatian President Stjepan Mesic visited Qatar for the first time in 2004, followed by his second visit in 2008.
  • The former Croatian Minister of Foreign Affairs, the current Speaker of Parliament, Mr. "Gordan Jandrokovic" visited the State of Qatar in October 2009. 
  • The former Speaker of the Croatian Parliament "Luka Bebic" visited the State of Qatar in February 2010.
  • The former President of the Republic of Croatia, Ivo Josipovic, visited the State of Qatar in November 2012.
  • The Croatian Minister of Interior, Mr. Ranko Ostojic, visited the State of Qatar during the period from 26th -29th October 2014 .
  • His Excellency Mr. Josip Leko, former Speaker of the Croatian Parliament, visited the State of Qatar from 18 – 21 November 2014.
  • The visit of His Excellency General / Drago Lovric - the former Chief of Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces, to Doha during the period 23 - 25 February 2015, based on an official invitation by His Excellency Major General (Pilot) / Ghanim bin Shaheen Al-Ghanim - Chief of Staff of the Qatari Army .
  • The visit of Mr. Ranko Ostoic, former Croatian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, to Doha during February 2015 at the invitation of His Excellency Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani - Prime Minister.
  • The visit of Mr. Orsat Miljenic - former Croatian Minister of Justice to Doha from 12 – 19 April 2015, to participate in the Thirteenth United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice.
  • Mr. Andrei Plenkovic - the current head of the Croatian government, visited the State of Qatar in February 2016, at the head of a large delegation, in his capacity as Vice-Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the European Parliament at the time. He was received in Doha by His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani - the Amir, "may God protect him", where they discussed the security situation in the region, in addition to the possibility of developing cooperation between the European Union and the State of Qatar with the aim of consolidating stability and combating terrorism.
  • The visit of General / Mirko Sundov - Chief of Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces and his accompanying delegation to Doha to participate in the military exhibition "DIMDEX 2016" during the period from 29 - 31 March 2016.
  • The visit of Her Excellency Mrs. Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic - President of the Republic of Croatia to Doha during the period 21st – 24th  April 2017.

 

SIGNED AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE STATE OF QATAR AND THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA

 

 

  • PROTOCOL ON COOPERATION BETWEEN THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE STATE OF QATAR AND THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND EUROPEAN INTEGRATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA.

 

  • AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF QATAR AND THE GOVERNMENT OF REPUBLIC OF CROATIA ON ECONOMIC COOPERATION

 

  • ADDITIONAL PROTOCOL BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF QATAR TO THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF QATAR ON THE PROMOTION AND RECIPROCAL PROTECTION OF INVESTMENTS.

 

  • AGREEMENT ON AIR SERVICES BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF QATAR

 

  • MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN QATAR DEVELOPMENT BANK AND HRVATSKA BANKA ZA OBNOVU I RAZVITAK (HBOR)

     

  • MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING IN THE FIELD OF SPORT BETWEEN THE QATAR OLYMPIC COMMITTEE AND THE CROATIAN OLYMPIC COMMITTEE

     

  • PROTOCOL ON COOPERATION BETWEEN THE OFFICE OF TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE HUMAN RESOURCES AT THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE STATE OF QATAR AND THE DIPLOMATIC ACADEMY OF THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND EUROPEAN INTEGRATION OF REPUBLIC OF CROATIA

 

  • AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF QATAR FOR THE AVOIDANCE OF DOUBLE TAXATION AND THE PREVENTION OF FISCAL EVASION WITH RESPECT TO TAXES ON INCOME

 

  • MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF QATAR AND THE GOVERNMENT OF REPUBLIC OF CROATIA ON TOURISM COOPERATION.

     

  • MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING IN THE FIELD OF ENERGY TECHNOLOGY BETWEEN THE MINISTRY OF ENERGY AND INDUSTRY OF THE STATE OF QATAR AND THE MINISTRY OF ECONOMY OF THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA

 

  • MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON COOPERATION IN THE LEGAL FIELD BETWEEN THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE OF THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA AND THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE OF THE STATE OF QATAR

 

 

  •  MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE QATAR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND CROATIAN CHAMBER OF ECONOMY.

 

  • AGREEMENT ON COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURE PROTECTION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF QATAR AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA.

 

  • AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF QATAR ON CULTURAL COOPERATION.

     

  • MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENSE OF THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA AND THE MINISTRY OF DEFENSE OF THE STATE OF QATAR ON COOPERATION IN THE MILITARY FIELD.

 

  • MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE MINISTRY OF CULTURE AND SPORTS OF THE STATE OF QATAR AND THE CENTRAL STATE OFFICE FOR SPORT OF THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA ON COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF SPORT.

     

  • AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF QATAR AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA ON EXEMPTION OF VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR HOLDERS OF DIPLOMATIC AND SPECIAL PASSPORTS.

     

  • MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF AGRICULTURE BETWEEN THE MINISTRY OF MUNICIPALITY AND ENVIRONMENT OF THE STATE OF QATAR AND THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE OF THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA.

     

  • AGREEMENT OF MUTUAL COOPERATION AND EXCHANGE OF NEWS BETWEEN QATAR NEWS AGENCY (QNA) AND CROATIAN NEWS AGENCY (HINA).

     

  • MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING FOR COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF EDUCATION, HIGHER EDUCATION AND SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF QATAR AND THE GOVERNMENT OF REPUBLIC OF CROATIA.

     

  • AGREEMENT ON COOPERATION BETWEEN THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF QATAR AND THE UNIVERSITY OF ZAGREB

 

Pending Agreements

  • MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING IN HEALTH COOPERATION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF QATAR AND REPUBLIC OF CROATIA .

 

  • LETTER OF INTENT BETWEEN THE MINISTRY OF INTERIOR OF THE STATE OF QATAR AND THE MINISTRI OF INTERIOR OF THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA IN SECURITY MATTERS.

 

  • AGREEMENT OF FRIENDSHIP AND COOPERATION BETWEEN THE CITY OF DOHA AND THE CITY OF ZAGREB.

 

  • MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF YOUTH BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF QATAR AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA.

 

  • AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF QATAR AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA CONCERNING THE REGULATION OF MANPOWER EMPLOYMENT IN THE STATE OF QATAR.

 

  • ADDITIONAL PROTOCOL BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF QATAR TO THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF QATAR ON THE PROMOTION AND RECIPROCAL PROTECTION OF INVESTMENTS.

 

  • DRAFT AGREEMENT ON MARITIME TRANSPORT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA AND GOVERNMENT OF QATAR.

 

  • DRAFT MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) FROM QATAR PORTS MANAGEMENT COMPANY "MWANI QATAR".