Croatia supports Ireland in its efforts to prevent the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union from undermining the progress achieved in Ireland, and especially the soft border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said after meeting with Ireland's Prime Minister, Leo Varadkar.

His visit to Zagreb on Monday was the first stop on Varadkar’s tour of three European capitals during which he is expected to discuss Brexit, and the possible scenarios if an agreement on it with London is not reached. After Zagreb, Varadkar will be going to Bucharest and Rome.

“Croatia will support Ireland in its efforts for the future regime on the border between the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland to keep the minimal aspects of the current state of affairs. A gradual technical approach would cause the least damage. Our goal is for the future border control regime to avoid causing any political instability in Ireland, in which we agreed with Varadkar,” Plenkovic said in the two prime ministers’ joint press conference after the meeting.

Dublin believes that existing solutions should be adhered to until future relations between the UK and the EU have been comprehensively determined, Varadkar said, adding that he had told Plenkovic how much Ireland appreciated Croatia’s solidarity and understanding.

Ireland is preoccupied with Brexit, notably regarding Northern Ireland, Varadkar said. It is necessary to guarantee that all signed protocols remain in force, notably regarding the relations between Ireland and Northern Ireland, he added.

For Croatia, it is important that the Brexit negotiations end in such a way to “match the general positions taken by the European Council, while satisfying Ireland’s interests in the process,” he added.

The two prime ministers said Croatia and Ireland have excellent and friendly relations, and that cooperation could be more substantial, notably in terms of economy, in which the trade between the two countries amounts to €100 million.

Varadkar also met with President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, telling her he supported Croatia’s entry to the EU’s passport-free travel Schengen areas, as well as the euro zone.

The two officials said the fact that Croatia’s port city of Rijeka and Ireland’s city of Galway were both selected to be European Capitals of Culture in 2020 would be an excellent opportunity to intensify cooperation between the two countries.

As for the emigration of Croatian citizens into Ireland, the two prime ministers and the president said they were welcome in Ireland and good ambassadors for the country. The Croatian community is very well integrated into Irish society and contributes a lot, said Varadkar.

Varadkar congratulated Croatia on the success of its football team at the recent World Cup in Russia, in which Croatia made it to the tournament final, saying it was encouraging for Ireland as another small country.

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