Croats see Turkish president’s visit boosting both countries’ economies

ZAGREB, Croatia

Croatians say they believe Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Croatia will help strengthen the economies of both countries

Croatia is Erdogan’s last stop on a three-day Balkan tour that took him earlier this week to Bosnia and Herzegovina and then Serbia.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, retired professor Zvonimir Tadic said he believes the visit will benefit Croatia, and mentioned his expected stop in Sisak, a city some 57 kilometers (35 miles) southeast of the capital Zagreb.

“President Erdogan will now come to Sisak as a leader who regularly meets with both (Russian President Vladimir) Putin and top Western political leaders. This is very good because on this occasion both Croatia and Sisak will be heard once again,” said Tadic.

“I hope that the mosque in Sisak will bring peace and unity to that region, where Christians and Muslims live together,” he added.

Local shopkeeper Daniela Spajic also said she thinks Erdogan's visit will have a positive impact, especially on relations between Croats and Muslims.

"They (Muslims) are our friends and neighbors, and the Turkish people are among our friends. Tourism or similar commercial investments from Turkiye will be good for the region," Spajic said.

'Turkish investments in Croatia are very important'

Ivo Vrljic, who fought in the Croatian War of Independence (1992-95), also recalled how Türkiye supported Croatia’s path to independence.

“(Then-Turkish President) Suleyman Demirel is among the rare leaders who visited Croatia at that time (of the war). I think that the support and cooperation between Turkey and Croatia is important,” said Vrljic.

“Turkey is a large, economically strong country, and I believe that economic relations will become even stronger after President Erdogan's visit. This is also of great importance for the Croatian economy and businesspeople,” he added.

Zagreb native Ivor Novak said he agreed President Erdogan's visit to Croatia carries great importance for his country, adding that Turkish businesspeople accompanying Erdogan’s visit will open new doors in the countries’ economic ties.

“We should try to strengthen friendly commercial relations between the two countries. I have a very close Turkish friend who moved to Croatia two years ago. He works for different companies, especially companies from Türkiye. Turkish investments in Croatia are very important. There are much more of those investments then most people know.”