After completing university studies and acquiring the academic title of Agricultural Economics Engineer in 1982, he lived and worked in Switzerland where he underwent professional training. 

He returned to Croatia in 1991 to the position of Business Secretary at the School of Medicine of the University of Zagreb only to return to Switzerland once more in 1992 as an employee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in charge of setting up the Croatian diplomatic consular network (Bern, Geneva, Zürich).

By that time, he also took part in coordinating humanitarian aid in the Main Medical Headquarters and the Office for Displaced Persons and Refugees of the Government of the Republic of Croatia and was also appointed as member to two Government delegations in 1991.

After Switzerland, he continued his diplomatic service in Embassies of the Republic of Croatia in Sofia and in Budapest. From 1999 to 2000 he occupied the position of State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with Ambassador Status. He participated in numerous international conferences as envoy of the Prime Minister.

In 1997 he enrolled in post-graduate master studies in International Relations at the Faculty of Political Science, University of Zagreb, and obtained his Master’s degree in 2002, with master thesis “Switzerland and its Neutrality”. He acquired his Ph.D. title in 2007 at the same faculty.

In his doctoral thesis, “Neutrality and New European Security Architecture”, he presented the main argument that neutrality, as a security/political instrument, is unsustainable in contemporary international relations dominated by the responsibility, solidarity and active involvement of state and international actors, aimed towards ensuring world peace and stability.

He has published multiple works in international peer reviewed journals and held presentations at scientific conferences at home and abroad. He is the author of the book “Neutrality and New European Security” published in 2009. He has also occasionally held lectures at the Faculty of Political Science in Zagreb, the Police Academy and the Academy of Political Science in Banja Luka.

During 2006 and 2007 he held several lectures on the subject “Kroatien auf dem Weg in die EU” in Stuttgart. He is a permanent lecturer at the University College of International Relations and Diplomacy and at the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration. He is also a member of the Centre for International Studies where he holds the position of General Director.

As a member of the Managing Board of the Atlantic Council of Croatia he participated in international conferences abroad and, in cooperation with the Embassy of the United States of America, he took part in public forums aimed at informing and educating Croatian citizens on the benefits and commitments ensuing from membership in NATO. He has been appointed Scientific Associate at the Faculty of Political Science in Zagreb. He is married and has three children.

1. When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here?
I arrived on 7 October 2012. I am Croatian Ambassador. In June 2009 I also become Permanent Representative of the Republic of Croatia to the Danube Commission in Budapest, and in June 2011 I was elected Secretary of the Commission. These functions are connected to each other. I am really very happy to be Croatian Ambassador in Hungary. I like this country.

2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?
I lived in Switzerland for several years. In 1992 I opened the Croatian Embassy in Switzerland. As a number two at the Embassy I also represented Croatia in Bulgaria and shortly in Budapest (1996-1997).

3. What surprised you most about Hungary?
I was delighted to find out a great variety of spa's in Budapest and all over the country, where you can absolutely relax after a long and exhausting working day. I also appreciate very much their wine tradition and varied cuisine.

4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend - what must they absolutely see and do?
Budapest is a famous city because of its rich history. Every building in Budapest tells you something about the tumultuous past. Croatian citizens like Hungary and Budapest, because of our common history without bad memories. The restaurants in Budapest, first of all those wich are on the banks of the Danube, are popular among Croatians. Budapest gets along with its river and all us coming from Zagreb are envious of that.

5. What is your favourite Hungarian food?
Halászlé, de nagyon csípős. I like Hungarian food very much, because it is according to my taste.

6. What is never missing from your refrigerator?
Salami.

7. What is your favourite Hungarian word?
There are plenty of them. For example: gyönyörű vagy nagyszerű. There is a very nice expression like: Legyen olyan szíves!

8. What do you miss the most from home?
My family, although they visit me very often in Budapest. Zagreb is very close to Budapest and we use this opportunity regularly and with great pleasure. My wife comes to Budapest on and off assuming some protocolar activities at the diplomatic circle.

9. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
I love being a diplomat and do not want to change it to any other job.

10. What's a job you would definitely never want?
Actor. I cannot perform by force. I am not capable of that. There is more spontaneity in my nature.

11. Where did you spend your last vacation?
I Combined Cuba and the Croatian coast.

12. Where do you hope to spend your next one?
You have to ask my wife. She has a big list of the places we’ve never been to: Mexico, South America, Kenya etc.

13. What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
a) The Rolling Stones
b) The Alamo. The film depicts the Battle of the Alamo and was directed by John Wayne, who also stars as Davy Crockett. The cast also includes very famous actors.
c) Hiking and walking in the woods. There is pure nature to find peace and concentration.

14. Apart of temptation what can't you resist?
Eating spicy food.

15. Red wine or white?
Red and white. Please, don’t make a division between them..

16. Book or movie?
Book is a priority.

17. Morning person or night person?
Of course I am a morning person, because I want to use the very beginning of the day. Sometimes I am also a night person. It depends ….

18. Which social issue do you feel most strongly about?
Learning of understanding and tolerance, have patience and be persistent in achieving positive goals.

19. Buda side or Pest side?
Both. Buda includes cultural and historical heritage and Pest is uniting a great treasure of contemporary Hungarian history and is therefore the life and soul of Hungarian people.

20. What would you say is your personal motto?
Tempus fugit and therefore carpe diem. But also Be well organized.