H.E. Mrs. Danijela Barisic Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Croatia

H.E. Mrs. Danijela Barisic obtained a degree in Economy from the Split University (1997) and in Political Sciences from the University of Zagreb (2005). An independent journalist in Radio Split (1988–1989), officer in the Press Centre (1991–1995), secretary (1995–1997) and associate (1997–2001) in the Information Department. Head of the Information Department of the Presidency (2001).
Seminar for spokespersons in Washington, organized by the Department of State (October, 2001). A three-month course in the Diplomatic Academy with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (1998–1999). Member of the Croatian PR Association.
Fluent in English, good knowledge of Italian.
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Bulgaria since January 2009.

Bringing the business communities closer and strengthening of economic relations are among the topmost priorities of the Croatian Ambassador

Your Excellency, historians define the centuries-long ties between Bulgarians and Croatians as lasting and positive. What feelings did you have coming to our country? Did you know Bulgaria before your appointment here?
Arriving in Bulgaria I had common knowledge about your country acquired through my years of education and through reading history books, which I am particularly fond of. Moreover, through my previous post as a spokesperson of the Croatian president I had a chance to participate in the meetings with Bulgarian officials.
Before my appointment here as ambassador, I have been twice in Bulgaria in 2003 and 2007 with Croatian president Stjepan Mesic during his official visits. Besides Sofia, we have visited Varna, Zlatni Piasatsi and the Rila Monastery.
Being here for some time now, frankly, I really feel like I’m at home and I don’t feel like a foreigner at all. Maybe it is because of the language – because more or less I can understand everything, I’m familiar with the Cyrillic alphabet, and Bulgarian people are really warm, open and friendly, which makes me very comfortable living here.
So, I could say, Bulgaria was not an unknown country to me, before I came here.

What are the priorities of your mission in Bulgaria and which is your topmost priority in your work as Ambassador?
Our cultural ties are very old and despite all historical changes, difficulties and turmoils, they have proven very tight. Our political relations are very good, we do not have any open issues and Bulgaria continually supports our way to Euro-Atlantic integrations.

Unfortunately, we have to admit that our economic relations are not as good as they could be. Part of the reason could be that we do not have direct flights or direct railway line, but 800 kilometres from Sofia to Zagreb is not such a big distance and it should not be an obstacle that is impossible to overcome.

I am convinced that the best way to boost our trade relations is to bring the business communities of our two countries closer in order to know each other better through organizing match-making sessions, exchange visits to various trade fairs, through presentation of legal framework of doing business etc. I have to mention that Bulgaria was a partner country in 2003 at Zagreb Fair. The Croatian and Bulgarian ministries of economics have signed a memorandum on cooperation, so we can use it in further plans. Having that in mind, my topmost priority will be the strengthening of our economic relations.

Throughout the whole history of Bulgarian-Croatian relations the political and trade contacts are believed to be traditionally good. Bulgaria’s consistent position on the Euro-Atlantic integration of the Western Balkans is well-known. What is your opinion on the level of bilateral relations today, and what are your development expectations?
Croatia appreciates Bulgaria’s support on our way to European integration and your readiness to share all of your experience, which is really a great benefit for us.

Let me also underline that Bulgaria was among the first countries which ratified Croatia’s NATO Accession Protocol. I can say that the countries enjoy truly friendly relations apparent on all levels – from the presidents of our states to the cooperation among the ministries. At all meetings and forums we receive Bulgaria’s support.

As I have previously said, our bilateral relations are very good, and as a whole, Croatian-Bulgarian economic relations have been significantly improved during the last four years, in fact trade exchange has risen five times since 2004. But I can say that there is much space to further expand bilateral economic relations.

Over the years we have had an intensive trade exchange; the data for 2008, however, show a certain drop. In your opinion, what should be done in order to overcome this trend? In what areas can Bulgaria and Croatia deepen economic cooperation and exchange investments?
According to the statistical data, in 2008 our trade exchange was about 180 million Euros, and for this year, as you said, there is a certain drop due to the global financial and economic crisis. According to our trade exchange structure, Croatia exports petroleum gases, finished mineral products, agricultural machinery, electric drive machines and parts, and paper and board; and we import from Bulgaria – petroleum and mineral oils, except crude, metal salt, products of wheat and flour, starch, and iron and steel rolled products.

There are plenty of potentials for further cooperation in the field of infrastructure, energy, agriculture and tourism. The restructuring trend in Croatian construction industry over the past several years has followed modern European developments, where small and medium-sized companies adapt themselves more easily to current market demands. Our motorway network includes more than 1070 km of motorway throughout Croatia, so I think that we can cooperate in this sector.

Croatia has a long-standing tradition in tourism and shows great potential for development, and our advantages are well-preserved environment and natural wealth, cultural and historical heritage, and this gives us a great potential to cooperate in the field of tourism acting as partners, not rivals.

A diverse climate, landforms and soil are favourable for the production of a wide range of agricultural products, from field and industrial crops to vineyards, continental and Mediterranean fruits and vegetables.

The spiritual closeness between our two peoples predetermines the dynamic cultural ties. Educational exchange and mobility are also traditional. What cultural initiatives is the Embassy of Croatia planning?
I agree that the cultural ties between our two countries are long-standing and tight. Thus for example, Cyril and Methodius “spread literacy on Croatian territory too.” The most famous monument is the Baska tablet – written in the Glagolitic alphabet, but Glagolitic script was used in some parts of Croatia until the nineteenth century.

J. J. Strossmayer and Franjo Racki in the nineteenth century invited many of the Bulgarian disciples in Zagreb. And for example, Franjo Racki wrote the “History of Bulgaria” which became publicly known thanks to the scientific work of Prof. Rumyana Bozhilova. 

Let me remind you also of our great poet Vesna Parun, who lived in Sofia during the 1960s, where she translated Bulgarian poems and literature.

As we can see, we have many common themes and we should not let them be forgotten or pushed aside because of the global financial crisis. We have to rediscover and boost them because our two countries have a lot of reasons and a lot of opportunities for greater and closer cooperation.

Let me remind you that in the past six or seven years the Croatian Embassy have organized many concerts and exhibitions, for example “A day of Croatian tie” – did you know that the tie was invented by Croats?

There are a few exhibitions we are planning for next year like the exhibition of old Croatian jewellery. Maybe we can find some similarities in manufacturing the jewellery because during the 16th and 17th centuries there were jewellers from Dubrovnik that came to Bulgaria, settled down and produced their goods.

Croatia is a beautiful country. We, Bulgarians, are also proud of our wonderful nature and rich cultural heritage. In your opinion, what could be improved as to enhance tourist exchange?
According to the National Statistics Bureau data, in the year 2008 there were almost 30,000 tourists from Bulgaria with almost 58,000 overnight stays.

Our tourist agencies, and ministries of tourism can work closely in order to promote both Croatian and Bulgarian tourism. I am aware that the current situation is not favourable to “expand business,” but in Croatia we use to say that “the sun comes after rain,” so this crisis will not last forever, and we have to prepare for the better times.

Have you had the chance to visit some places in Bulgaria? What has impressed you most, and how do you feel in our country?
Since this January when I came to Sofia, unfortunately I haven’t had time to discover places outside Sofia, but this will change in the near future. My family and I are planning to visit every part of your beautiful country, from seaside to hinterlands, and I hope that we will have enough time to do that because there are plenty of places. I’m looking forward to enjoy Bulgaria from that viewpoint as well.