Meeting between heads of diplomacy of Poland and Croatia

During their Warsaw meeting, the top diplomats of Poland and Croatia paid much attention to security issues. They agreed that further increase of defence spending is necessary. In 2025, Poland allocated 4.7 per cent of its GDP on defence and has planned to consistently strengthen the security sector. Last year, Croatia exceeded the 2 per cent of GDP target and is also planning to regularly boost its defence spending. Deputy Prime Minister Sikorski considers it a token of our partners' responsibility and solidarity.

"Europe must increase its military capabilities while using the European defence industry's potential to full advantage. We have no illusions: Putin's Russia will remain one of the most serious threats to our security," said Deputy Prime Minister Sikorski.

The head of the Polish MFA noted that in the face of global geopolitical turmoil caused by Russian aggression in Ukraine, we stand shoulder to shoulder with Croatia as allies. He pointed out Croatian armed forces' presence in Bemowo Piskie under NATO's Forward Land Forces Battle Group. Poland's and Croatia's top diplomats also discussed their countries' engagement in supporting Ukraine in its four-year-long struggle with Russian aggression.

"We have recently visited Kyiv together on the anniversary of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, and we agreed on the undeniable importance of Europe's continued strong support for Ukraine until a just and lasting peace is achieved," said Minister Gordan Grlić Radman.

The foreign ministers also highlighted the key role of the European Union in the peace process.

They underlined the importance of cooperation in the areas of security and trade, especially in the context of Croatia's presidency of the Three Seas Initiative. Trade between Poland and Croatia has been constantly growing. In 2024, it amounted to two billion euros. Since Poland joined the EU, trade between Poland and Croatia has increased more than ninefold.

The two foreign ministers also discussed the prospects for European Union enlargement and the situation in the Western Balkans. They welcomed the pace of Albania's accession negotiations and the progress made by Montenegro on its path towards the EU. They elaborated on the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, particularly in the context of the implementation of local Croatians' electoral rights. The foreign ministers agreed that expanding the zone of stability and consistently supporting countries aspiring to join the EU is currently a geopolitical necessity.