Iran's Minister of Cooperative, Labor and Welfare Ali Rabiee voiced the country’s readiness to enhance ties with Croatia in political, economic and social arenas.
In a meeting with Croatia’s Deputy Prime Minister Martina Dalic in Tehran on Wednesday, Rabiee described the relations between Tehran and Zagreb as “historical” and said, “We have always stood by Croatia”.
The 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers and the ensuing removal of sanctions have turned trade transactions into an opportunity for promotion of peace and friendship and expansion of culture among nations, he added.
Croatia’s economy minister and Marko Pavic, the country’s State Secretary for Labor and Pension System, and a high-ranking delegation of businessmen were also present at the session.
The Iranian minister stressed that the two countries should make all-out efforts to deepen their mutual ties in all fields, economy in particular.
During the meeting, at least 200 Croatian firms expressed willingness to boost their ties with Iranian firms in various industrial fields, including steel, petrochemical, electricity and shipping services.
Separately, the Iranian minister held talks with Croatia’s Minister of Environment and Energy Tomislav Coric and explored avenues for promoting economic cooperation between the Islamic Republic and the European country.
Coric, for his part, said the country’s private sector is ready to expand its economic cooperation with Iranian companies.
He added that Zagreb also seeks more maritime and port cooperation with Iran.