Two high-level meetings between Croatia and Iran’s foreign ministers and parliamentary speakers signify a strengthening of relations between the two countries.
Following a recent meeting in New York between Croatian Foreign Minister Vesna Pusic and her Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif, it was the turn of the two countries’ parliamentary speakers, Josip Leko and Ali Larijani to meet in Teheran on October 3, 2015, in a clear sign of the strengthening of bi-lateral relations.
After the meeting, which was held ahead of a session at the United Nations General Assemby, Pusic announced that a business forum would be held by the two countries:
“”As Iran is opening up, the interest in the Iranian market is rapidly growing and I received a positive response from the Iranian minister. Iran wants to develop economic and friendly relations with Croatia. We agreed that a business forum will be held at which the two countries’ companies could discuss business cooperation,” she said.
In a joint press conference in Iran following the meeting of the two parliamentary speakers, there was a call for closer economic, scientific and cultural ties.
““I am of the belief that proper conditions have been provided for economic, scientific and cultural cooperation between Iran and Croatia,” said Ali Larijani. “Parliamentary relations between Tehran and Zagreb are very friendly and we intend to use this potential to further cooperation in other fields.”
Leko responded by talking of the warmth of relations and the opportunities ahead:
“It is true that Croatia is a member of the European Union, but it does not disregard its relations with other countries and our interests in this part of the world are closer to those of Iran’s,” he said.
One of the more intriguing Croatian businesses set to enter the Iranian market is fast-food chain Surf ‘n’ Fries, a Croatian start-up with more than 40 franchises, which stretch as far as Vietnam. CEO Andrija Colak explained to TCN in a recent interview that everything has been signed to enter the Iranian market.
