Azerbaijan, Croatia mull cooperation
By Aynur Jafarova
The development of a legal base, as well as promotion of investment and cooperation in the cultural, tourism and humanitarian fields were high on the agenda of talks between Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov and Croatian First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Vesna Pusic.
During the meeting held on October 30, Mammadyarov hailed Azerbaijan-Croatia relations as close.
He stressed the importance of increasing the number of reciprocal visits, saying this contributes to the development of relations.
Pusic, for her turn, lauded Azerbaijan's role in ensuring the energy security of Europe, adding Croatia was interested in energy cooperation with Azerbaijan.
She hailed cooperation between the two countries in the field of shipbuilding as successful.
Mammadyarov highlighted the history and consequences of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the current state of the negotiations to resolve the dispute.
As part of its visit to Baku, the Croatian delegation also met with Energy Minister Natig Aliyev.
During the meeting, Pusic said the Croatian businessmen are interested in expanding cooperation with Azerbaijan in the energy sector.
Aliyev, for his part, said Azerbaijan and Croatia enjoy significant capacities to develop bilateral ties.
Earlier the Croatian delegation was received by Azerbaijani President Ilham Alivev.
Croatia recognized Azerbaijan's independence on 28 December 1991. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on 26 January 1995.
The trade turnover between the two countries amounted to over $222.5 million in 2013.