Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman on Wednesday met with Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, who was on an official visit to Zagreb. Prince Faisal was the first Saudi foreign minister to visit Croatia.
The two ministers underscored the traditionally good relations between Croatia and Saudi Arabia. “Croatia attaches great importance to this first visit as an important step towards intensifying our relations,” Grlić Radman said. Zagreb and Riyadh are expected to sign a general cooperation agreement soon, which Grlić Radman said “will benefit our countries.” Croatia and Saudi Arabia are friendly countries, without outstanding issues and with the potential to advance economic relations, he added.
Minister Faisal said the Saudi Vision 2030 envisaged diversification of the economy, with emphasis on tourism. “Croatia is very experienced in tourism, considering its beautiful coast,” he said, adding that with its experience and experts Croatia could cooperate with Saudi Arabia on that front also.
Besides economic cooperation, the two ministers discussed the situation in the Middle East and Southeast Europe.
Grlić Radman will pay a return visit to his Saudi counterpart this year, on which occasion an economic forum will be organised in Saudi Arabia.
“Croatia has always treated Islam with the greatest respect. Other countries have recognised our path of successful religious coexistence and use it as an example,” the minister said.
Text: Hina/MFEA
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