President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has today received a delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Crafts of the Republic of Croatia, co-chair of the Azerbaijan-Croatia Joint Commission on Economic Cooperation Martina Dalic.

The head of state hailed the bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Croatia.

President Ilham Aliyev recalled Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic`s visit to Azerbaijan, describing it as a success. The President hailed reciprocal visits at different levels between the two countries. The head of state underlined the importance of mutual trade, investment and collaboration of companies in terms of expanding cooperation in a variety of fields. President Ilham Aliyev noted the significance of the activities of the Joint Commission on Economic Cooperation in this regard.

Pointing to Azerbaijan-European Union relations, President Ilham Aliyev underlined that the recent Eastern Partnership Summit was a success and yielded good results, and emphasized the importance of the Declaration adopted at the summit. The head of state said work is underway on a new agreement between Azerbaijan and the EU, and expressed his hope that the agreement will cover all areas of bilateral cooperation – in accordance with best mutual interests – including in political, economic, energy, and cultural ones.

The President hailed good prospects for long-term energy cooperation between Azerbaijan and Croatia, praising Croatia`s regular participation in the Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council.

Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Crafts of the Republic of Croatia, co-chair of the Azerbaijan-Croatia Joint Commission on Economic Cooperation Martina Dalic extended greetings and best wishes of President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic

and Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic to President Ilham Aliyev.

Martina Dalic expressed her pleasure with her visit to Baku, saying they feel at home in Azerbaijan. She pointed out high level of bilateral relations between the two countries, noting the importance of the two presidents' joint efforts in terms of the expansion of bilateral cooperation.

Martina Dalic underlined ample opportunities for deepening Azerbaijan-Croatia cooperation in investment, trade and other spheres, and hailed the successful activities of the Joint Commission on Economic Cooperation.

President Ilham Aliyev thanked for the greetings and best wishes of President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic and Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, and asked the deputy Prime Minister to extend his greetings and best wishes to the Croatian head of state and premier.

AZERTAC