“It takes two to tango” – Croatia ready to support Hungary’s energy goals, says Ambassador Mladen Andrlić

In a candid conversation with Daily News Hungary, H.E. Mladen Andrlić, Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia to Hungary, reflects on centuries of shared history, the vibrant present-day partnership between the two nations, and the growing potential for deeper collaboration. From border security to tourism, energy to cultural heritage, Ambassador Andrlić highlights both the achievements and opportunities that define the Croatian–Hungarian relationship. With humor, sincerity, and strategic foresight, he underscores one essential truth: regional cooperation can only thrive when both sides move in sync.

DNH: Your Excellency, you have been serving in Hungary for some time now. What has been your personal experience with the Hungarian people?

H.E. Mladen Andrlić: We are neighbors, with a history of living together in a common state for nearly a millennium. This special connection continues to be reflected today, while both being the EU and NATO member states, in everyday interactions of our citizens and among professionals across various fields.

DNH: How do you see the development of Croatian–Hungarian relations in recent years?

H.E. Mladen Andrlić: Our relations are stable, yet dynamic. A number of small and medium-sized enterprises operate competitively in both the Hungarian and Croatian markets, often achieving notable results. Of course, the backbone of our collaboration remains in the sectors of energy and tourism.

Let me mention that there is a stable and relatively well-balanced framework of relations, where the Hungarian surplus in the energy sector has been balanced by Croatian tourism revenues.

DNH: What challenges do you see regarding the security of the border regions, and how do the two countries cooperate in this field—be it in terms of migration or cybersecurity?

H.E. Mladen Andrlić: Our two countries are effectively addressing a range of challenges, including illegal migration and issues related to cybersecurity. I must emphasize the strong and effective cooperation between our Ministries of Internal Affairs, which work closely together on a daily basis.

As a result, these challenges are being successfully reduced through well-designed and well-implemented prevention and other security measures. Another important fact is that Croatia has joined the Schengen system, which has significantly improved the management of these issues along our shared border with Hungary.

DNH: Croatia remains the most popular seaside destination among Hungarian tourists. What are currently the top destinations for Hungarian travelers, and what kind of visitor data do you expect for this year?

H.E. Mladen Andrlić: Croatia continues to be the most popular seaside destination for Hungarian tourists. So far this year, nearly 300,000 Hungarian visitors have traveled to Croatia, generating approximately 1.2 million overnight stays. Compared to the same period last year, this represents a slight decrease of around 1–2%.

As in previous years, the most visited regions are Kvarner and Istria. The top destinations among Hungarian travelers include Crikvenica, Rovinj, Vir, Opatija, and Poreč. Based on current trends, we expect similar overall figures for the entire year, with stable interest from Hungarian tourists in Croatia’s coastal destinations.

DNH: More and more Hungarians are eager to explore Croatia beyond the coastline. In your opinion, what are three lesser-known but special places in Croatia that are worth visiting?

H.E. Mladen Andrlić: I would mention Slavonia and Baranja, as exceptional gastronomic destinations with hospitable people, as well as Lika with its exceptional natural beauty of mountains, rivers and lakes. I think the nortnern Croatia remains of a particular interest for Hungarians, since it is geographically very accessible, where they can find a great trace of our shared history, e.g. the Međimurje Museum in Čakovec, located in the old town of the Zrinski/Zrinyi family. All the above mentioned regions are an excellent choice for a weekend stay in Croatia, but also as a stopover destination on the way to the coast.

DNH: For Hungary, Croatia is not only a favorite holiday destination but also an important energy and transport partner. In recent years, there have been discussions about reducing Hungary’s energy dependence—especially on Russia—through routes via Croatia. Do you see potential in this, and what role could Croatia play?

H.E. Mladen Andrlić: It is well known that Croatia and the routes passing through it are ready to play a more important role in addressing some of Hungary’s energy-related challenges.But, you need two for tango!

The transports through Croatia has been thoroughly examined on multiple occasions. Thus, we hope the both sides are gradually approaching a point where the already established technical facts it will be fully acknowledged, i.e. that there is a secure and reliable corridor through Croatia, from the Adriatic coast to the Hungarian border, and further to the oil refineries in both Hungary and Slovakia.

We beleive that this remains a strong foundation for further cooperation, not just in terms of political communication, but through concrete, economically viable and business-oriented partnerships.

DNH: Transport infrastructure between the two countries is continuously developing. A new motorway connection between Southern Hungary and Croatia is expected to be opened in September. What are your expectations regarding this development? What kind of economic or tourism impact do you foresee?

H.E. Mladen Andrlić: Each and every new transport route opens new opportunities. The same applies to the new highway route on the 5C Corridor, which connects Budapest and southern Hungary with Croatia and extends further into Bosnia and Herzegovina, ultimately leading to the port of Ploce at the Adriatic coast. This development represents a significant boost for both economic and tourism cooperation in the region, although the highway route through Bosnia and Herzegovina has yet to be completed.

DNH: Croatian–Hungarian trade is quite active, as we are neighboring countries. Which Hungarian products are particularly popular in Croatia, and which Croatian products do Hungarian consumers tend to buy most often?

H.E. Mladen Andrlić: Awesome. A number of food products enjoy strong interest on both sides of the border, i.e. various types of sausages and meat specialties are highly appreciated in both Hungary and Croatia.

I may also add also a good understanding of high sorts of wine on both sides. When i’m talking about Croatia, let me highly recommend here, the wines from the Golden Valley near the city of Požega, where a number of highly respected producer are already well received at the Hungarian market.

That is why we at the Embassy actively support the promotion of these wines, along with selected varieties of prosciutto and cheese, at our official events, receptions and cultural gatherings. These occasions offer a valuable opportunity to show the richness of Croatian gastronomy to our Hungarian partners and friends.

DNH: In your view, which sectors have the greatest potential for expanding economic cooperation between Croatia and Hungary?

H.E. Mladen Andrlić: It is not easy to find out what would be the best, since the cooperation of neighbors is always guite alike, with similar kind and culture of production on both sides. It is not easy to find out what makes a real difference, but the quality may provide a difference. Due to its importance to the overall matrix, the energy cooperation through the oil and gas transport, as well as the alternative energy projects remain the most important in our economic partnership. There is, of course, a wide variety of bilateral opportunities in the field of tourism.

DNH: Turning to cultural matters: how do you assess the situation of the Croatian minority in Hungary? What kind of relationship does the Embassy maintain with the Croatian community here?

H.E. Mladen Andrlić: The ongoing cooperation in the field of protection of minorities in Hungary and Croatia, has been assessed as smooth and fine bilaterally, and even as one of the best in Europe by the European institutions as well. We are proud and happy to enjoy such achievements while preserving the national identity, culture, language and tradition, enabling the minority communities in both countries to be highly respected and supported.

A significant Croatian minority lives and works, being even born in generations as Hungarian citizens, and we are pleased with continuous improvement of their position.

Of course, people are aging, new generations are arriving, but not in the number as it was before, which affect both Croats in Hungary and Hungarians in Croatia. Still, with a variety od measures at the national, regional and local level, there is a meaningful progress, at least as much as current circumstances allow. The principle of reciprocity has been highly respected.

In minority education, for example, both countries apply similar models, which starts already in kindergarten and continues at elementary and secondary level. Particular universities in Hungary, as well as in Croatia, provide learning of Hungarian and/or Croatian language. A number of entries is not so high, but the key remains with keeping of the tradition.

DNH: The Hungarian minority in Croatia is also an important topic. How does Croatia ensure the cultural and linguistic rights of the Hungarian communities living there?

H.E. Mladen Andrlić: The minority rights are well protected and provided explicitly on the principle of reciprocity. This means that whatever is provided to one minority group in one country is equally offered to the other minority in the other country. The educational programs have been introduced at all levels, from the kindegarten to university, that support the learning of the Hungarian language in Croatia, as well of Croatian language in Hungary. All other cultural and linguistic rights are also well taken care of, and there is a stable and improving environment for both communities.

DNH: Are there any current Croatian cultural or economic programs in Hungary that you would like to draw our readers’ attention to?

H.E. Mladen Andrlić: Economically the most important event wold be the opening of the highway route on 5C Corridor, hopefully in September!

However, the very special cultural program which is in front of us would be the Croatian concert to be held at the St. Stephen’s Basilica in Budapest, which we are proud to offer during the Advent the third time in a row as an additional contribution to the festive season of the capital.

The most important Croatian project remains with further preparation of a magnificent sculptural exhibition featuring works of the world renowned Ivan Meštrović, planned to be held in Budapest in 2026.

Moreover, a continuous cooperatio goes on dynamically both ways in a number of fields. The most of the Croatian cultural programs are held in Budapest, but also elsewhere in Hungary, espcaially at the seat of the Croatian National Theatre in Pecs, which regularly hosts distinguished Croatian authors, actors and plays. There is also a number of frequent exchanges and presentations of museums, galleries and libraries.

DNH: Finally, let’s not forget gastronomy. Are there any Hungarian dishes you’ve come to enjoy—perhaps ones you didn’t know before your posting here?

H.E. Mladen Andrlić: Obviously there would be a number of fine meals and tastes in Hungarian cuisine. But, let me here emphasize the ‘harcsapaprikás’, as well as the ‘cigánypecsenye’. To that I would add the two of my favourite deserts – ‘somlói galuska’ and ‘túrógombóc’. Enjoy!