Azerbaijan, Baku, Sept. 5 / Trend S. Agayeva /
Today it could be said with confidence that Azerbaijan and Croatia are interested in raising existing ties to a higher level of strategic cooperation, Azerbaijani ambassador to Croatia Kamil Hasiyev told Trend today.
"Relations between Azerbaijan and Croatia are being developed dynamically today in various ways," he added. "The intensive political interaction between the two governments is being observed. A lot of visits including at the highest level, have been made for the past several years. Around 19 documents covering various areas were signed."
According to the Azerbaijani National Security Concept, the development of relations with the countries of South-Eastern Europe on bilateral and multilateral basis is one of the country's foreign policy priorities.
The cooperation recently observed with the countries of the region including Croatia, is being intensified within the considered foreign policy of the country, the diplomat said.
The parties are interested in raising the level of existing ties to a higher stage of strategic cooperation. In this regard, the ambassador stressed the importance of the 'Zagreb declaration on strategic partnership and friendship between the Azerbaijan Republic and the Republic of Croatia', adopted within the Azerbaijani president's recent visit to Croatia.
According to the document, the parties agreed to develop a strategic partnership including economy and trade, defence and security, tourism, transport, science and technology, culture, youth and sports. The embassy will concentrate its efforts to implement common goals and objectives for the benefit of our countries and people.
The diplomat stressed that Croatia which became the 28th EU member in July 2013, underwent difficult and long lasting reforms at the request of Brussels. Its rich experience in the integration processes can be useful for Azerbaijan, given the fact that European integration is one of the priorities of Azerbaijan's foreign policy. Croatia has repeatedly stressed its willingness to share its experience in this area.
The ambassador said that Croatia is one of the leading countries of South-Eastern Europe, with a strategic location at the crossroads of the Mediterranean and Central Europe, diversified economy, abundance of natural resources, rich cultural heritage and friendly people.
"The positions on all key issues coincide with our country," he added. "The country supports the peaceful settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict on the basis of the norms and principles of international law and in particular the sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of the countries' borders. Of course, we must create strong and economic partnership at the existing excellent political basis. Important actions are being taken in this regard."