Mr. Randall Karim, Permanent Secretary (Ag.) and Head of the Foreign Service, Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs, met with His Excellency Ranko Vilović, Ambassador-designate of the Republic of Croatia to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, during a courtesy call on 14th October, 2025 at the Ministry’s headquarters. The meeting preceded the Ambassador-designate’s Presentation of Credentials to Her Excellency Christine Carla Kangaloo, O.R.T.T., President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
The visit was a symbolic homecoming for Ambassador-designate Vilović, who warmly recalled his participation fourteen (14) years ago as Croatia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, when he signed the Joint Communiqué establishing diplomatic relations between the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and the Republic of Croatia.
In his remarks, Ambassador-designate Vilović described Croatia as “a young country but an old nation” with a deep historical legacy and a record of transformation and progress. He noted that “things are changing,” emphasizing that with change comes new opportunities for partnership and growth.
Permanent Secretary Karim welcomed the Ambassador-designate’s sentiments, noting that Croatia presents several potential areas for cooperation that could mutually benefit both countries. He identified tourism and artificial intelligence as initial areas for engagement and extended an invitation to the Ambassador to meet, either in person or virtually, with the Minister of Public Administration and Digital Transformation and the Minister of Trade, Investment and Tourism.
Both sides also recognized opportunities for collaboration in education, diplomatic training, and trade, highlighting the potential for stronger ties between Port of Spain and Zagreb.
The meeting concluded on a cordial note, with both parties reaffirming their shared commitment to deepening bilateral relations and exploring new avenues of cooperation. Permanent Secretary Karim aptly summarized the tone of the meeting, stating that “new friendships bring new possibilities.”
