TEHRAN – President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday that Croatia can open a gate to Iran’s ties with European countries as he highlighted the importance of relations with Zagreb.

“Croatia can be the gate of our relations with the European Union due to historical and cultural commonalities between the two countries and also its geographical status,” Rouhani said during a press conference with Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic in Tehran.

Rouhani said that Iran has had a “very good” and “friendly” relationship with Croatia.

The two countries will expand relations in various areas especially energy sector, he added.

He said that Grabar-Kitarovic’s trip to Iran indicates the “political will” by Zagreb to expand economic relations with Tehran.

Iran and Croatia are interested in expanding ties in areas of culture, art, science and technology in addition to economic ones, Rouhani added.

Grabar-Kitarovic said that Croatia supports expansion of Iran’s ties with the European Union.

She also said that Croatia supports Iran’s actions in alleviating tension in the Middle East region.

She added Croatia will expand cooperation with Iran in fighting terrorism and extremism.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran can look at Croatia as a friend and good partner in the European Union,” Grabar-Kitarovic said, according to the president.ir.

The relations between the two countries are at a “good level”, yet there is a room to expand it, she noted.

Elsewhere, Grabar-Kitarovic said that Iran seeks to modernize its industry and economic infrastructure and Croatian corporations can be of great help to Iran.

She also thanked Iran’s private sector for welcoming the Croatian corporations.

Iran and Croatia also signed a document on economic cooperation and a memorandum of understanding for cooperation between the chambers of commerce.

Croatian president: Nuclear deal showed great problems can be resolved politically

Talking in the joint meeting of the two countries’ senior officials, the Croatian president said the nuclear deal between Iran and great powers showed that great problems can be resolved through dialogue.

She also said her country is firm in strengthening ties with Iran. The female president also said it is necessary to reactivate the joint commission between Iran and Croatia.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran can look at Croatia as a friend and good partner in the European Union,” Grabar-Kitarovic said, according to the president.ir.

Rouhani also told the joint meeting that Tehran attaches great importance to Croatia and the Balkan region in general and expressed hope that the visit by Grabar-Kitarovic and her entourage would open a new chapter in relations.

“Croatia, the Balkan region, and Southeast Europe are important for the Islamic Republic and we hope that this visit would be a good beginning for establishing a new relationship between Tehran and Zagreb,” Rouhani stated.

Rouhani also suggested that Iran is ready to share its experiences in technical and engineering services with Croatia.

President Rouhani added it is a source of honor that while Islomphobia is being propagated in Europe there is a peaceful coexistence between different religions in Croatia.

Rouhani also praised the visit to Tehran by the mufti of Zagreb along with the presidential delegation, saying it shows that Croatia attaches importance to divine religions and this has strengthen unity in the country.

NA/PA