Speaking of the friendship of the two peoples on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Croatia's international recognition, with Ireland being one of the first countries to have recognised it, Grabar-Kitarovic remembered Thomas Crowley, an Irishman killed fighting for Croatia during the 1991-95 Homeland War, calling him a special hero and brave.
In memory of him and all freedom fighters, today we are strengthening another link of our friendship and unity in the united European community, she said, adding that the friendship would further gain in strength during Croatia's presidency over the European Union and through cooperation between Galway and Rijeka, European capitals of culture in 2020.
We share European values, we look on the common European future with nearly identical positions, priorities and interests, Grabar-Kitarovic said.
In the context of global and internal challenges, Brexit and the rise of populism, she said it was important to strengthen the unity of all 27 EU member states and solidarity within the Union.
It is important to reach a consensus on important issues, while respecting the interests of the member states, finding the best solutions to the challenges we are faced with in order to properly respond to our citizens' concern. That is our common responsibility, Grabar-Kitarovic said.
She said Croatian-Irish economic cooperation was not sufficiently developed and that there was potential in tourism, digitisation, IT, the sharing of experience in the stimulation of small and medium enterprise, public administration reform, the absorption of EU funds and integration of migrants.
President Higgins said the friendly bilateral relations between the two countries were in part a result of many common experiences, including the gaining of national independence and emigration.
He said the two countries now shared the common European project and warned about unprecedented challenges, both external and internal.
In parts of the Union we are witness to worrying security threats and serious political crises, he said, highlighting Brexit.
In responding to crises and challenges, we must not become pawns to xenophobic populism. I am convinced that we should approach those crises with hope, courage and renewed political will, said Higgins.
The EU is a magnificent but incomplete project and everyone in the Union relies on Croatia as a good will ambassador for the former Yugoslav republics whose peoples are waiting to share the promise of peace, stability and prosperity which the EU offers, he added.