Maltese President George Vella (L, Front) and visiting Croatian President Zoran Milanovic (R, Front) attend a welcome ceremony in Valletta, Malta, on July 11, 2022. Maltese President George Vella and visiting Croatian President Zoran Milanovic on Monday confirmed their commitment to continuing close bilateral cooperation on key issues, President Vella's office said in a statement. (Photo by Jonathan Borg/Xinhua)
VALLETTA, July 11 (Xinhua) -- Maltese President George Vella and visiting Croatian President Zoran Milanovic on Monday confirmed their commitment to continuing close bilateral cooperation on key issues, President Vella's office said in a statement.
The issues included the situation in Ukraine, the ongoing challenges faced by the Mediterranean region, the enlargement of the European Union, and the Conference on the Future of Europe, according to the statement.
A welcome ceremony for the two-day visit by President Milanovic was held at Palace Square in Valletta before the two leaders held talks. The Croatian president is reciprocating a state visit by Vella in October last year.
The presidents exchanged views on how the conflict in Ukraine disrupted global stability, international trade, energy sourcing and has caused food shortages.
Addressing the press together with Milanovic, Vella spoke "very positively" of Croatia's progress towards joining the euro area and encouraged further reforms towards becoming a member of the Schengen area, which will boost tourism between the two countries.
Croatia is set to adopt the euro as its currency on Jan. 1, 2023 and has been receiving technical advice from Malta, which adopted the single currency in 2008. ■
Maltese President George Vella (2nd L) and visiting Croatian President Zoran Milanovic (1st L) attend a welcome ceremony in Valletta, Malta, on July 11, 2022. Maltese President George Vella and visiting Croatian President Zoran Milanovic on Monday confirmed their commitment to continuing close bilateral cooperation on key issues, President Vella's office said in a statement. (Photo by Jonathan Borg/Xinhua)
