Croat MP: Iranˈs Key Role In Resolving Regional Crises Cannot Be Ignored

Tehran, March 11, IRNA – Chairman of Foreign Policy Committee of the Croatian Parliament said in a meeting here Monday with Iranian deputy foreign minister for European and American affairs that Iranˈs major role in resolving regional crises cannot be ignored. Milorad Pupovac who is in Iran at the top of a Croatian parliamentary delegation exchanged viewpoints on most important bilateral, regional and international developments in his meeting with Majid Takhte-Ravanchi. Pupovac in the meeting referred to the cultural commonalties and friendly relations of the two countries during the course of the past years, adding, ˈThe Croatian Parliament wishes our bilateral relations to expand, particularly in parliamentary, economic, and scientific fields.ˈ He emphasized that the Croatian government is ready for taking practical steps aimed at expansion of relations with Tehran. The chairman of the Foreign Policy Committee of the Croatian Parliament meanwhile referred to the potentials and status of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the region and the world, emphasizing that Iran is a major power in the region today. He also pointed out that the Croatian Parliament and Government both support Iranˈs nuclear rights and hope the negotiations with the six world powers will lead to tangible results. The Iranian deputy foreign minister for European and American affairs, too, for his part referred to the good and friendly relations of the two countries and supported the continuation of parliamentary relations. Takht-e-Ravanchi said that good and strong bilateral parliamentary relations facilitate the expansion of ties and cooperation between the two governments. Referring to several rounds of intensive talks with the 5+1 Group countries (the UN Security Council Big 5 and Germany) in recent months, he said, ˈTehran has entered the nuclear negotiations in full good faith and wishes these talks to be fruitful and lead to the opening of a new chapter in its relations with Europe.ˈ The Iranian diplomat said that Iran considers certain red lines for safeguarding the Iranian nationˈs rights, which should be respected in those talks. The two sides in their meeting also exchanged ideas on major regional and international issues, including the prevailing conditions in Ukraine, Syria, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Iran and Croatia established diplomatic relations on April 18, 1992 when Iran became the 7th country to recognize the newly independent Croatia. Croatia has an embassy in Tehran and Iran maintains an embassy and a cultural centre in Zagreb./end