Azernews.Az

By Nigar Orujova

Croatian public holiday Statehood Day, and the country`s joining to the European Union was marked with an official reception in Baku on July 5.

The event brought together Azerbaijan's Parliament speaker Ogtay Asadov and Croatia's Parliament speaker Josip Leko, MPs and diplomats.

Addressing the event, Leko praised the fact that Baku hosts Croatia`s public holiday and described this as a sign of development of mutual relations.

Leko, recalling Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev`s official visit to Zagreb in March, underlined the importance of the documents signed during the visit, including the Zagreb Declaration on strategic partnership and friendly relations between Azerbaijan and Croatia.

"Our countries have similar features. Each country passed a difficult road to independence. We attach great importance to the development of comprehensive relations with Azerbaijan," Leko said.

Touching the Nagorno-Karabakh problem, Leko said his country always supports Azerbaijan`s territorial integrity and expressed hope that the conflict would be settled soon.

Ogtay Asadov congratulated the Croatian people on behalf of President Ilham Aliyev. He praised rich potential of the Azerbaijan-Croatia economic cooperation.

Asadov noted Azerbaijan was an initiator and active participant of transnational projects. He underscored the role of Azerbaijan in energy security of Europe.

"The expansion of cooperation between our countries in the shipbuilding, engineering, telecommunications, agriculture, fishing, tourism, pharmacy and other spheres is of great importance," he said.

Asadov said that Azerbaijan possesses rich oil and gas resources and serves as an active member in the transnational projects in this sphere. He stressed the increasing role of Azerbaijan in the energy security of Europe.

It was noted, that TAP provided for the transportation of natural gas to Europe under the Shah Deniz-2 project will bring new meaning to the cooperation between Azerbaijan and Croatia in the energy sector.

Asadov also expressed confidence that Leko`s visit to Azerbaijan would contribute to boosting relationship between Azerbaijan and Croatia.

The event was followed with a concert program by Azerbaijani and Croatian musicians.