State Secretary Biščević visited Tunis and Saudi Arabia

In Tunis, Biščević met at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with Deputy Minister for Europe Hatem Ben Salem, whom he handed Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader’s invitation for Tunisian Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi to visit Croatia, along with a delegation of Tunisian businessmen, in view of the mutual interest in intensifying the economic co-operation, especially in the field of tourism. Biščević and Ben Salem exchanged opinions on Croatia and Tunis’ relations with the EU, the situation in the Middle East, especially in Iraq and Iran, and on the peace process in relations between Israel and the Palestinian Self-Government. Ben Salem invited Croatia to take part on the highest level at the UN summit on information society in 21st century, to be held in Tunis 18 November this year. Biščević also met with Assistant Foreign Minister for Europe Jmayel. Great interest was shown for the strengthening of bilateral relations, and a soon accreditation of a Tunisian ambassador to Croatia was announced.

State Secretary Biščević met in Saudi Arabia with Minister of Economy and Planning Khaled Al Gosebi, whom he invited to visit Croatia, along with the representatives from the Saudi economy, so as to explore the possibilities of investing into Croatian economy. It was suggested that Croatian and Saudi chambers of commerce keep close contact so that businessmen from both countries could get in touch and develop co-operation. Biščević discussed the same topics with Deputy Minister for Foreign Trade Ahmet Al Bedewi. At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Biščević met with Deputy Foreign Minister Nizar Madani and Director for Political Affairs and International Organisations Prince Turki Bih Mohamed Bin Saud Al Kaber. Both sides described the relations between Croatia and Saudi Arabia as very good, pointing out the soon 10th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations.

Biščević familiarised representatives of Saudi MFA with the political and economic situation in Croatia, developments in relations with the EU, and the relations in the region. Biščević also met with Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the president of Kingom Holding, a royally-owned company, Saudi biggest investor in tourism and luxury hotels, whom he also invited to visit Croatia to discuss possible investments in its tourism.

It was agreed that bilateral agreements would be signed with Tunis and Saudi Arabia, that would strengthen the economic co-operation with Croatia.