President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday received Croatian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman in Malacañan Palace, marking the first official visit to the Philippines by a top diplomat of the Republic of Croatia.

Marcos hailed the moment as a milestone in Philippine-Croatian ties, noting that it opens a new phase of bilateral engagement.

“Welcome to the Philippines, especially at this very important time. We celebrate our long relationship between our two countries, and now you have the opening of your office here in the Philippines,” the President told the visiting minister.

Radman thanked the President and the Filipino people for the warm reception extended to his delegation, citing shared values and common adherence to international law as pillars of cooperation between the two nations.

The Croatian Foreign Minister was in Manila from Oct. 12 to 14, during which he held meetings with high-ranking Philippine officials, including the Secretaries of Foreign Affairs, National Defense, and Migrant Workers, as well as members of Congress.

Diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Croatia were formally established on Feb. 25, 1993. (PNA)