MFEA: Call for increased caution for Croatians in Cyprus and the Middle East

On Monday, the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs (MFEA) called on Croatian citizens to exercise increased caution and to obtain timely information about traveling to Middle Eastern countries following the US-Israeli attacks on Iran and Tehran's retaliation.

A special warning was again issued to Croatians residing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). "We recommend that they stay indoors until further notice, away from windows, and avoid moving around in open spaces or large gatherings. In the event of a loss of communication links, stay safe and wait for the signal to be established for new information," the ministry noted.

The MVEP asked all Croatian citizens residing in the UAE to submit their information to [e-mail], and for other countries to contact the competent diplomatic-consular mission.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade reminds that all current warnings and consular information are available on the official website of the ministry. On this page, citizens can select a country and check security warnings and travel recommendations, as well as determine which diplomatic and consular mission is responsible for providing consular assistance, and find the phone number and e-mail address.

“Our employees in Zagreb and in the Middle East region are in close and regular contact with partners in the European Union to exchange information and coordinate, including with regard to possible repatriations, if circumstances on the ground allow and if so decided, as was the case during the COVID-19 pandemic,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade emphasizes in a statement.

Grlić Radman in contact with colleagues from the region

The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs also clarified who Croatian citizens can contact if they are in a country where Croatia does not have a diplomatic or consular representation.

“In accordance with Article 23 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Croatian citizens who are in a third country where Croatia does not have a diplomatic or consular representation have the right to request consular protection from the diplomatic or consular representations of any other European Union member state, under the same conditions as citizens of that country, the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs announced.

There are still about ten Croatian citizens in Iran, which responded to the attacks by Israel and the US with attacks on US bases throughout the Persian Gulf. As for Israel, according to information from the Croatian Embassy in Tel Aviv, there are currently around 20 Croatian tourists and pilgrims in Israel, as well as approximately 100 citizens with dual citizenship of Croatia and Israel.

The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs adds that Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman is in contact with colleagues from the region, and on Sunday he spoke by phone with the foreign ministers of Israel, the UAE, Qatar, Oman, Iraq, Egypt and Tunisia.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar briefed him on Israel's decision to attack Iran and what followed, Grlić Radman wrote on X on Sunday. "He informed me of the damage to Israeli civilian infrastructure and the casualties. I called for de-escalation," Grlić Radman wrote.

The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs recommends postponing travel to Cyprus

The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs recommended on Monday that Croatian citizens postpone their trips to Cyprus after the British Akrotiri airbase on that island was hit by a drone.

“Due to the deteriorating security situation in the Middle East and attacks by ballistic weapons and drones on British military bases on the island of Cyprus, Croatian citizens are advised to postpone their trip to Cyprus, unless it is a trip of extreme necessity,” according to the MFEA recommendation on the official website from Monday.

In case of urgency and danger, Croatian citizens can contact the Croatian embassy in Athens, which covers Cyprus, and, if necessary, the diplomatic and consular missions of other EU member states in Cyprus.

The Croatian Embassy in Athens can be contacted at: 0030 210 677 7033, or 0030 210 677 7037, or 0030 210 677 7049; the consular office at: 0030 210 677 7059; emergency number: 0030 693 657 2421 and via e-mails: [e-mail] and [e-mail].

The northern part of Cyprus is under the rule of the self-proclaimed so-called "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus", which Croatia did not recognize. Cypriot authorities consider entry through ports and airports in the northern part of the island illegal.

It is possible to cross to the northern part of the island only through officially marked crossings, with passenger control, but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs notes that the possibility of consular protection in that area is difficult.

Source: HRT