Croatian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Marija Pejcinovi Buric is on an official visit to Malta, where she met with her counterpart Carmelo Abela on Thursday to talk about global and regional topics and of improving the already good bilateral relations, her ministry said in a press release.

Pejcinovic Buric and Maltese Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion Minister Abela underscored the very good relations between the two countries, with the desire to intensify them, particularly in trade, culture, tourism and protection of the sea, according to the press release.

The two foreign ministers exchanged opinions on current global and regional topics, and topics related to the European Union, on a comprehensive approach to migrations, security issues, the Mediterranean and Southeast Europe.

They pointed out the need to intensify dialogue and the exchange of good practice and stances as part of Croatia’s preparations for its chairmanship of the European Union in the first half of 2020.

One of the priorities of Croatia’s chairmanship will be the European journey of Southeast Europe, which Malta too considers important, and in that regard Croatia will organise a summit of the EU and Southeast Europe dedicated to that topic, the press release said.

During her visit Pejcinovic Buric met with members of Malta’s delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

Pejcinovic Buric is a candidate for that organisation’s secretary-general, along with Belgium’s Deputy Prime Minister Didier Reynders.

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe will decide on the next secretary-general by secret ballot in Strasbourg on June 25, who will then step into office on October 1.