Croatia Hails Iran as Important Regional Power

(FNA)- Visiting Croatian Parliament Speaker Josip Leko called for the further expansion of relations with Iran, stressing Tehran's crucial role as a regional power.

"Iran's stances on important international issues is very important; we assess Iran as an important and influential power, the Islamic Republic of Iran has a rich culture and an ancient civilization and we feel that we should take part in continued talks with a friendly country like Iran," Leko said in a joint press conference with his Iranian counterpart Ali Larijani in Tehran on Saturday.

He further praised the Zagreb-Tehran relations "as very good and based on mutual respect", and said the two countries have had good diplomatic ties even during the sanctions era when Iran was under the toughest international embargoes.

Leko underlined that Croatia is committed to develop ties with Iran in all fields, including science, economy and culture.

The Croatian parliament speaker also extended his condolences to the families of the Iranian victims of Mina tragic incident in Mecca.

Leko, heading a high-ranking delegation, arrived in Tehran earlier today at the invitations of Larijani.

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 center in Zagreb.