Regular bilateral consultations took place at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia between State Secretary for Political Affairs Frano Matušić and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Fariz Rzayev. During the talks, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening overall relations, with a special emphasis on intensifying political cooperation and developing new forms of bilateral and multilateral economic cooperation.
In a friendly and constructive atmosphere, the interlocutors exchanged views on past cooperation and expressed satisfaction with the development of relations. The importance of continuous political dialogue at all levels was emphasized, and in this context, numerous meetings and events were announced for the coming period, including the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and participation in this year’s Dubrovnik Forum.
Cooperation between relevant ministries and government institutions was also discussed. The interlocutors assessed that the progress made in implementing existing bilateral agreements provides a solid foundation for further deepening ties. Particular attention was paid to opportunities for strengthening economic and trade cooperation, with a special interest in the sectors of energy, industry, tourism, agriculture, demining and mine action, and healthcare, including the pharmaceutical field.
On the multilateral level, both sides confirmed their readiness to continue cooperation within international and regional organizations. Current aspects of cooperation between the European Union and Azerbaijan were particularly highlighted, as well as future potentials, considering Azerbaijan’s important role in connecting Europe and Asia through the so-called Middle Corridor and other routes. The Azerbaijani side was invited to consider Croatian ports (Rijeka, Zadar, Ploče) as entry points for the transport of goods from Asia to Central and Southeastern European countries. In the portion of the talks dedicated to regional topics, views were exchanged on the situation in the South Caucasus and Southeastern Europe. The interlocutors emphasized the importance of ensuring peace, stability, dialogue, and respect for international law as the foundation for lasting solutions to regional challenges.
Global issues were also discussed, including the war in Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, and relations with Central Asian countries.
During the visit, on May 21, a conference titled “30 Years of Diplomatic Relations Between Azerbaijan and Croatia: Achievements and Further Perspectives” was held, along with an accompanying exhibition organized by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs and the Azerbaijani Embassy.
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