Manila, Oct. 13 -- Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro on Monday welcomed Croatian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlic Radman to Manila.

This marked the first-ever official visit of a Croatian foreign minister to the Philippines since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1993, a significant step forward in deepening the friendship and expanding cooperation between the Philippines and Croatia.

The two officials held a bilateral meeting at the DFA to discuss ways to further enhance cooperation between Manila and Zagreb, focusing on defense, trade and investment, and people-to-people ties.

Croatia is home to an estimated 16,000 Filipinos, many of whom contribute to the country's marit...