Policy paper

Joint declaration on bilateral cooperation between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Republic of Croatia, 2023

Published 11 May 2023

This was published under the 2022 to 2024 Sunak Conservative government

1. Joint Declaration by the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, on behalf of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (hereinafter referred to as the ‘United Kingdom’) and the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, on behalf of the Republic of Croatia (hereinafter referred to as ‘Croatia’).

Introduction

2. In 2022, we marked the 30th anniversary of the establishment of our diplomatic relations; this Declaration reflects our close friendship and shared values. These include fundamental freedoms, democracy and the rule of law. We commit to work together to promote these values globally as part of a wider network of liberty, reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the security and stability of the Euro-Atlantic area and our commitment to uphold the rules-based international order.

3. Our countries share a common vision across foreign policy, defence and security, law enforcement, migration, trade and investment, education, technology, research and innovation, culture, climate change and environmental issues. Our shared values are reinforced by close cooperation in international fora as members of NATO, the UN, UNESCO, OSCE, the Council of Europe, INTERPOL and the WTO.

4. With this Declaration, we confirm our intention to further enhance our bilateral relationship and strengthen our international cooperation. We will use annual consultations to assess progress, exchange information and propose new initiatives for cooperation.

5. The United Kingdom and Croatia recognise the importance of partnership and cooperation between the EU and the United Kingdom based on the values and interests that both share.

Foreign, security and defence cooperation

6. The United Kingdom and Croatia will deepen their cooperation in foreign and security policy in international fora, conflict prevention, crisis preparedness and response, and economic ties while promoting democracy, rule of law, human rights, freedom of religion or belief and good governance.

7. We will build upon the Strategic Partnership Commitment between the Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Croatia. As committed NATO Allies, we will work closely to ensure that NATO remains the cornerstone of Euro-Atlantic security. We will deepen our defence and security cooperation, including by supporting partners in the neighbourhood who are most directly affected by actions of third states actors, helping them to protect their integrity, build capabilities, strengthen resilience and uphold their political independence against malign interference.

8. In response to efforts by malign and hostile actors around the world we will enhance cooperation, as NATO Allies, on defence and security issues such as cyber, resilience and preparedness, emerging and disruptive technologies, and hybrid threats.

9. We will cooperate in enhancing Europe’s defence and resilience, including against cyber and hybrid threats.

10. We will continue to work together in the Western Balkans region to strengthen stability, democracy and the rule of law and to tackle crime and corruption. We will further support reform efforts to reach tangible progress on taking the region forward on its Euro-Atlantic path. We will work together to foster stability and functionality of Bosnia and Herzegovina. We reaffirm our unequivocal commitment to the territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina as a single, sovereign state comprising two entities, in which all three constituent peoples, others, and all citizens are equal.

11. We are united behind Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and support Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression. We will continue to work together in the context of supporting Ukraine, including in the area of post-war recovery and mitigating the consequences of war. We will also work together in other areas of joint interest, while promoting rules and principles of international law, including the prevention of conflict-related sexual violence and holding perpetrators to account for international crimes.

12. We will work together to explore and intensify opportunities for cooperation in defence and security industries, to develop technologies and share expertise to improve our citizens’ security, promote mutual prosperity, enhance regional security, address existing and new threats, and to bolster and preserve freedom and democracy.

Justice and home affairs cooperation

13. We are committed to strengthening bilateral cooperation on irregular migration. We will cooperate on returns processes and share expertise and information on serious organised crime networks, border security and best practice in asylum processes. We will continue to cooperate in justice and home affairs matters under our current arrangements and international agreements, especially in tackling serious organised crime and corruption.

Economic cooperation

14. We are committed to strengthening economic cooperation, working closely to create an optimum environment for further bilateral trade and investment, recognising the existing framework of the EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement. We will build stronger links and facilitate opportunities for British and Croatian business communities ensuring open/transparent and fair competition and identify opportunities in the fields of research and innovation, technology, digitalisation and cyber. We will explore opportunities to cooperate on energy security. We will explore opportunities to strengthen and broaden our business ties in areas of mutual interest including but not limited to technology, resilience, tourism, maritime sector, supply chains and FDI.

15. We will consult when necessary on seafarer welfare and protections, working in the framework of the International Maritime Organisation and the International Labour Organization.

Research, education, culture and environmental cooperation

16. We recognise the fundamental importance of research and innovation cooperation in underpinning our economic and security partnership. We will encourage and build on existing institutional cooperation in the areas of science, research, technology, education, culture, people-people contacts and climate and environmental issues.

17. We will encourage sharing best practice and strengthening cooperation between our educational institutions. We will build on the excellent collaboration between our educational and cultural institutions and support educational, scientific and cultural exchanges.

18. We are committed to implementing the Paris Agreement and the Glasgow Climate Pact by strengthening cooperation in key climate and environmental areas including renewable energy and fuel sources, habitat protection and biodiversity, and maritime ecosystems. We will explore opportunities to work together to develop technical cooperation on climate legislation, green investment and research into renewable energy sources, and resilience and adaptation to climate risks.

Governance

19. The Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom and the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia will have responsibility for this Joint Declaration and will hold an annual dialogue at which their representatives, will evaluate progress.

Signed in London on 28 April 2023 in 2 original copies, each in the English and Croatian languages, both texts being equally valid.

For United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: The Rt Hon James Cleverly MP, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs

For Republic of Croatia: Gordan Grlić Radman, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs