The Australian Institute of International Affairs had the honour of welcoming Her Excellency Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic to speak at the ACT branch on Wednesday 16 July. President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic spoke to a diverse audience in what was a packed room of ambassadors, delegates, members of the local Croatian community and distinguished guests. Sitting alongside AIIA National Executive Director Melissa Conley Tyler, the President discussed Croatia’s role in both Southeast Europe and the wider international community, and stressed her support for the Australia-European Union Free Trade Agreement. The speech followed bilateral talks between the President and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull earlier in the day, where the potential for closer economic ties between the nations was discussed. It marked the first visit to Australia by a Croatian president since 1995.