ZAGREB, March 22, 2018 - Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke on the phone with Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović who congratulated him on the election victory and once again invited him to visit Croatia, the Kremlin press office said in a press release Thursday.
"Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the Republic of Croatia Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović," the press release said. "The Croatian leader congratulated Vladimir Putin on winning the presidential election," the press release read.
"The heads of state discussed various aspects of bilateral cooperation taking into account the results of the Croatian President’s visit to Russia in October 2017. In particular, they noted the expanding trade and economic ties," the Kremlin said.
Several issues on the international agenda, including the situation in the Balkans, were also discussed.
Grabar-Kitarović confirmed her invitation for the President of Russia to visit Croatia at a time convenient to both sides, the Kremlin said.
Grabar-Kitarović visited Russia last October, which was also the first official visit of a Croatian president to the Russian Federation since 2009 and it was aimed at giving a new impetus to the relations that have been neglected for years. The visit coincided with the 25th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
At their meeting which took place in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Grabar-Kitarović invited Putin to visit Croatia in 2018.
Putin will lead Russia for another six years, after securing an expected victory in Sunday's presidential election. Putin, who has ruled the country as either president or prime minister since 1999, got more than 76% of the vote, official results show.
