Croatia visa facility in Islamabad on cards

PM wants cooperation in trade expanded

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan and Croatia are working to expedite the opening of a Croatian visa processing facility in Islamabad, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Thursday, standing alongside Croatian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Croatia Dr Gordan Grlic Radman, a move aimed at sparing Pakistani applicants the need to travel to a third country to obtain visas.

Addressing a joint news conference after the talks, Dar said, "We are working together to expedite the opening of a Croatian visa processing facility in Islamabad," Dar said, adding that the move would provide "welcome relief" to Pakistani applicants.

Dar said Pakistan had also begun preparations to seek re-entry into the European Union's Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) framework ahead of the new regulations due to take effect in January 2027. He said the two sides also agreed to continue work on legal pathways for skilled Pakistani workers while combating human smuggling and irregular migration.

The deputy prime minister said Pakistan and Croatia reaffirmed their commitment to multilateralism, the UN Charter and the peaceful settlement of disputes. He said the Croatian side appreciated Pakistan's role at the UN Security Council, including its efforts to strengthen multilateralism and advance consensus on peaceful dispute resolution.

Speaking at the news conference, Radman said the visit would help intensify bilateral relations and expand cooperation in trade, investment, and new sectors.

The Croatian minister also met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, where both agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, and other sectors during talks in Islamabad, as the two countries sought to deepen ties, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office.

During the meeting at the Prime Minister's House, Sharif welcomed Radman and his delegation, saying Pakistan and Croatia enjoyed friendly relations based on mutual respect, goodwill, and shared interests.

The prime minister expressed Pakistan's desire to expand cooperation in trade and investment, information technology, connectivity, agriculture, tourism, and skilled manpower.

Sharif conveyed his best wishes to Zoran Milanovi and Andrej Plenkovi and extended invitations to both leaders to undertake official visits to Pakistan.