Croatian Foreign Minister Miomir Žužul, who is heading the Croatian delegation on an official visit to Israel, accompanied by the Minister of Science, Education and Sport Dragan Primorac and associates, met today with Israeli Foreign Minister Sylvan Shalom at the Israeli MFA in Jerusalem
The two countries established a political and economic dialogue that will improve the relations between them. Preparations for signing the Agreement on avoiding double taxation will soon be underway. The two ministers agreed that Croatian-Israeli relations offer a lot of possibilities that need to be taken advantage of. Apart from intensifying the economic contacts and increasing the extent of mutual affairs, the strengthening of political relations is also expected. The Israeli Foreign Minister especially stressed the importance of Croatia’s approaching the EU, which is especially relevant for the bilateral relations between the two countries.
Minister Žužul said that Croatia wants a close co-operation with Israel, the development of political and trade relations, as well as an increase in Israel’s investments in Croatian economy. Minister Žužul pointed out that Croatia could serve as Israel’s exit towards Europe, especially as regards economy. An important topic of the talks was the transfer of Israel’s experiences in agricultural irrigation to Croatia, which is the purpose of Croatian Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management Petar Čobanković’s visit to Israel, where hemet today with Israeli experts.
The two ministers discussed the Palestinian issue and the possibility of a new dialogue that was terminated after yesterday’s terrorist attack in the Israeli city Ashdod, killing 10 people. Minister Žužul expressed his condolences to his Israeli colleague Shalom for the victims of the unsettles relations in this part of the world and stated his support for all future peace initiatives and Israel’s wish for negotiations.
Minister Shalom announced the opening of Israeli Embassy to Zagreb this year, which of a proof of the determination on both sides for the strengthening of relations between the two countries. Minister Žužul announced the Prime Minister Ivo Sander’s visit to Israel in spring, and in fall a visit by the President of Croatian Parliament, Vladimir Šeks.
The two ministers also arranged a friendly football match between Croatia and Israel. The first game is to be played in August this year in Israel.
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