Plenković to visit Canada for talks with Carney and Croatia’s World Cup match

Prime Minister Andrej Plenković will visit Canada from June 22 to 24 for meetings with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, business leaders and members of the Croatian community, before attending Croatia’s World Cup match against Panama in Toronto.

Plenković’s visit will begin on Monday in Ottawa, where he is scheduled to hold talks with Carney on strengthening bilateral cooperation in defense, technology, the economy and tourism.

According to the Croatian government, Carney is also expected to present plans for a new multilateral Defense Bank, envisioned as a broader framework than NATO, in which Croatia could potentially participate.

The prime minister will be accompanied by Economy Minister Ante Šušnjar and Tourism and Sports Minister Tonči Glavina.

Economic cooperation will be a key focus of the visit. Under government auspices, Osijek-based drone technology company Orqa is set to sign a strategic partnership agreement with Canadian firm Remote Robotics. The agreement covers the development of sovereign artificial intelligence, advanced unmanned systems and support for training the Canadian Armed Forces.

Trade ties between the two countries have expanded in recent years. Croatia Airlines has ordered Airbus aircraft assembled in Canada, while the Treći maj shipyard in Rijeka began delivering vessels to Canadian shipping company Algoma last year.

Plenković is also scheduled to attend a Croatian-Canadian business forum expected to bring together around 50 companies from both countries.

During his stay, the prime minister will meet Croatian clergy in Norval and representatives of the Croatian community in Hamilton.

In Toronto, Plenković will deliver a lecture at the Munk School of Global and Public Policy titled “Resilience and Reliable Partnerships: The Power of Small States in a New Geopolitical Environment.”