First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Vesna Pusić met on the side lines of NATO foreign ministers meeting in Brussels with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov, with whom she discussed Croatia-Azerbaijan relations, with an emphasis on energy.
Pusić reiterated her satisfaction that TAP had been chosen as a route for transporting Caspian gas to Europe, adding that the IAP/TAP project would have a strong effect on the stability of the countries in the region and prompt their economic growth. The same pipeline transports gas to Central Europe as well, which means diversification of supply routes and sources.
She highlighted the interest of Uljanik, which is already working on several projects in Azerbaijan, to continue cooperating with Azeri partners. The two ministers also discussed cooperation in tourism, noting Minister Lorencin’s upcoming visit to Baku, as well as cooperation in agriculture and seed production, where Croatia can offer its know-how.
The Azerbaijani minister said that for further intensification of bilateral relations and Croatia’s presence in Azerbaijan it would be good to work on opening an embassy. Croatia for now has an office in Baku.