ZAGREB, Croatia: Relations between the UAE and Croatia are witnessing remarkable development in various fields under the patronage of the two countries’ leadership.
This was stated by Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, during his visit to Croatia on Thursday. He said that the UAE-Croatian relations would grow into wider prospects and more cooperation.
During his visit, Shaikh Abdullah separately met President of Croatia Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Marija Pejcinovic Buric.
Shaikh Abdullah conveyed the greetings of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan to the Croatian president and his best wishes for further development and prosperity for the Croatian people. President Kitarovic reciprocated her greetings to President Shaikh Khalifa and wished him well and more progress and prosperity for the UAE people.
They discussed bilateral relations between the two countries and ways of enhancing them in various fields, especially in the political, economic and social domains. They also exchanged views on a number of regional and international issues of mutual concern as well as the latest developments in the region.
The Croatian president praised the distinguished relations between her country and the UAE, stressing her keenness on developing ties into wider prospects in all fields.
Shaikh Abdullah emphasised the importance of boosting relations in various fields in the best interests of the two peoples. Non-Resident Ambassador of the UAE to Croatia Ali Al Ahmad attended the meeting.
Shaikh Abdullah and Zdravko Maric, Minister of Finance of Croatia, signed an agreement to avoid double taxation between the two countries.
Addressing a joint press conference along with Buric, Shaikh Abdullah said: “We held fruitful bilateral discussions and reviewed the strong ties between the two countries and ways of strengthening them in various fields as well as a number of important international issues on the global arena.”
The UAE Foreign Minister noted that there are more than 1,500 Croatians living in the UAE who are contributing to the cultural boom of the state. He added that 14,000 Croatian tourists visited the UAE in 2016.
Buric said that they also discussed issues related to developing economic cooperation between the two countries as well as the latest international developments, especially in Libya and the illegal immigrants crisis.
She also expressed her happiness at the Emirates airline’s decision to operate seven weekly flights between Dubai and the Croatian capital. She also pointed out at the natural gas project being developed in Croatia, which she said could be a good investment opportunity for the UAE.
Ambassador Ali Al Ahmad attended the meeting.
