Croatia hails Iran's role in restoring stability to Mideast

Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic has hailed Iran's positive and constructive role in restoring stability to the Middle East, calling for the reinforcement of bilateral ties.

In a meeting with Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Zagreb on Thursday, Plenkovic described the Islamic Republic as an influential country. "Iran is making efforts in line with restoring regional stability," he said.

The Croatian premier also stressed that cooperation with Iran, especially in the economic and trade sectors, should be continued and expanded.

Zarif, for his part, expressed his keenness to develop Tehran-Zagreb relations in all fields, including Halal tourism, energy, agriculture, food industry, advanced technology and banking cooperation.

He further called for boosting Iran's cooperation with Croatia in regional and international organizations both within the bilateral and European Union frameworks.

JCPOA facilitates Iran ties with world: Croatia FM

Additionally on Thursday, Croatian Foreign Minister Marija Pejcinovic Buric expressed her country's and Europe's support for keeping and implementing the 2015 multilateral nuclear deal.

The accord, officially called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), is one of the most important and strongest agreements in its kind, which has led to more stability and paved the way for increasing Iran's cooperation with the world, she said. 

The Iranian foreign minister's visit to Croatia will broaden political and economic ties between the two countries that already enjoy traditional and strong relations, she said.

Zarif, for his part, stressed Iran's resolve to boost Tehran-Zagreb ties in all areas.

He also said that his talks with the Croatian top diplomat had focused on the most important regional and international issues, including the JCPOA as well as the fight against violence, terrorism an extremism, the crises in Yemen and Syria, and the current situations in Afghanistan and Balkans.

Zarif stresses expansion of Iran-Croatia ties

Meanwhile, in a meeting with Croatian Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandrokovic, Zarif expressed hope that Iran's relations with Croatia would improve more than ever with the removal of some impediments.

The Iranian foreign minister further said the meeting focused on the most important regional and international issues as well as boosting parliamentary, trade, economic, scientific and cultural relations.

Zarif has traveled to Croatia on the third leg of his tour of the Balkans and Eastern Europe that has already taken him to Serbia and Bulgaria and will travel next to Bosnia.

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