Carinthia and Croatia deepen disaster response and economic ties

Carinthia and Croatia plan to expand cooperation on disaster response and economic matters, ORF reported, following talks held by Carinthian Governor Daniel Fellner during a visit to Croatia.

Fellner, of the Social Democratic Party of Austria, was received by Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić Radman and a delegation during his three-day trip. The meetings highlighted the longstanding ties between Austria and Croatia and their economic cooperation. Croatia has recorded economic growth of 2.9 percent, with Carinthian companies contributing, the report said.

Cross-border disaster response was a key topic in talks with representatives of Croatian counties. Fellner said authorities needed to pool resources because disasters do not stop at national borders. He invited Croatia’s partners to take part in Combined Success 2026, a major disaster-response exercise scheduled for November in Carinthia. ORF described it as the largest such exercise in Austria’s history.

Fellner also presented Carinthia as a technology hub, citing Infineon’s 1.1 billion euros of investment in Villach. Croatia’s representatives showed interest in Carinthia’s model of fee-free childcare and early education. In Croatia, parents currently cover 50 percent of preschool costs, while the country is investing in renovating and expanding school buildings and sports facilities.

Both sides said they wanted to continue exchanging expertise. Fellner was due to travel to Sarajevo on Thursday for an embassy National Day reception at the city’s historic town hall, alongside Austrian Ambassador Georg Diwald.