Croatia and Canada strike nuclear energy agreement

Croatia and Canada have signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen cooperation in the field of civil nuclear energy, establishing a framework for more intensive collaboration, including the exchange of knowledge and experience, regulatory cooperation, human resources development, research and innovation, and the exploration of advanced nuclear technologies.

The memorandum was signed on Tuesday during the official visit of Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and a government delegation to Canada, which also included Minister of Economy Ante Šušnjar. The visit forms part of broader efforts to strengthen economic, energy and institutional cooperation between the two countries, according to a statement from the Ministry of Economy.

On behalf of the two governments, the memorandum was signed by Croatia’s Ambassador to Canada Vice Skračić and Canada’s Ambassador to Croatia.

Canada is among the world’s leading countries in civil nuclear energy, with decades of experience in the development and safe use of nuclear technologies.

Croatia, as a co-owner of the Krško Nuclear Power Plant and a country actively assessing its future energy needs in the context of decarbonisation and the energy transition, has emphasised the importance of cooperation with international partners with advanced expertise and experience in the sector, the statement added.

“In a time of major changes in global energy markets, partnerships with countries that have top-level knowledge and experience represent an investment in the long-term resilience and security of the Republic of Croatia,” Minister Šušnjar said.

He added that cooperation with Canada would further strengthen Croatia’s institutions and professional capacities, enabling evidence-based decisions on future energy options grounded in international best practices.

The Ministry stressed that the memorandum does not create any obligation for specific investment decisions, but rather establishes a platform for the exchange of expertise and the strengthening of institutional cooperation between Croatia and Canada in the field of civil nuclear energy.