Stier thanks Iceland for being first to recognise Croatia 25 yrs ago

(Hina) - Croatian Foreign Minister Davor Ivo Stier thanked Iceland's government in Reykjavík on Thursday for the fact that Iceland was the first country to recognise Croatia's independence 25 years ago

(Hina) - Croatian Foreign Minister Davor Ivo Stier thanked Iceland's government in Reykjavík on Thursday for the fact that Iceland was the first country to recognise Croatia's independence 25 years ago.

It's a great pleasure and honour to be here and express to you, your government and Iceland's people Croatia's gratitude for the fact that Iceland was the first country which recognised Croatia, Stier told reporters after talks with Iceland's Foreign Minister Godhlaugur Thor Thordharson.

That was a brave move and we greatly appreciate it and will never forget it, Stier said.

Godhlaugur thanked Stier, saying he felt that Iceland's government and then foreign minister were right to do that and that Iceland was proud of it.

The two ministers discussed European matters, Brexit, cooperation within NATO and the situation in Southeast Europe. They agreed the two countries will continue to develop good relations in the spirit of friendship that began 25 years ago.

This will not be the end of our cooperation, but the beginning, and we will do all we can for our relations to be even better and closer, which is always important, notably in these uncertain times, said Godhlaugur.

Stier said the two countries could develop cooperation in many areas, such as the energy sector. He mentioned the good cooperation between the National Energy Authority of Iceland and the Croatian Hrvoje Požar Institute, which is interested in the use of geothermal energy in Croatia.

Cooperation is possible between the Croatian Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries and Iceland's institute as is the exchange of experience in tourism, Stier said.

After the talks, Stier presented former Icelandic Foreign Minister Jon Baldvin Hannibalsson with a Charter of Gratitude given by Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović for his outstanding contribution to Croatia's international recognition.

Stier is also scheduled to meet with President Gudni Thorlacius Johannesson and Parliament Speaker Unnur Bra Konradsdottir. Earlier today, he visited the Hellisheidarvirkjun geothermal power plant.

Stier is on a Nordic tour which took him to Stockholm yesterday, while on Friday he will visit Copenhagen.

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