ZAGREB, May 10, 2018 – Croatia regrets the withdrawal of the United States from the agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme, but remains committed, together with its partners in the European Union, to honouring the agreement and expects Iran to continue implementing and meeting all the obligations under the agreement, the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs said in a statement on Wednesday.
“The Republic of Croatia regrets the withdrawal of the United States of America from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Together with our partners in the EU, we remain committed to full respect for and effective implementation of the JCPOA and expect Iran to continue implementing and meeting all the obligations arising from the agreement,” the statement said.
US President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that the US was withdrawing from the 2015 international nuclear agreement with Iran to prevent that country from developing a nuclear bomb, adding that he would immediately impose economic sanctions on Tehran. “This was a horrible one-sided deal that should have never, ever been made. It didn’t bring calm, it didn’t bring peace, and it never will,” Trump said in a statement at the White House.
The Croatian ministry said: “Along with key security aspects of the international non-proliferation architecture and of regional and European security and stability, the JCPOA has opened up space to strengthen relations with Iran in many other areas, creating opportunities for development of economic cooperation and trade for the benefit of citizens of the EU and Iran. In that regard, the Republic of Croatia considers it necessary to make an effort to preserve the opportunities enabled by the agreement and ensure protection of economic, trade and business interests.”
It said that Croatia advocates dialogue with its EU partners “on the new circumstances and a common approach.”
The ministry concluded by saying that the US remains Croatia’s partner and ally. “We expect further dialogue with them on this and other issues of common interest.”
