Qatar, Croatia ink 8 deals to advance cooperation

By Talha Ozturk

BELGRADE, Serbia

Croatia and Qatar on Monday signed eight bilateral agreements in various fields to enhance cooperation.

The deals were made in Croatia's capital Zagreb following the meeting of Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic.

Bilateral and political relations between the two countries were regarded as friendly and positive, while the need to develop contact in all areas of possible cooperation was also among discussion.

"I firmly believe that the development of bilateral relations with the countries of the Gulf will have great importance for Croatia," Grabar-Kitarovic said.

Grabar-Kitarovic said she believed the Croatian community in Qatar -- of around 500 people -- can be a link between the two nations and the promotion of cooperation.

Croatia sees a promising future for cooperation in the field of energy, food industry, construction, health, defense industry, tourism and high technology, she said.

"I hope that the Qataris will see Croatia as an increasingly desirable destination, since an important part of the Croatian service industry has halal certificates," said Grabar-Kitarovic.

Al Thani for his part said that Qataris visit Croatia for many reasons such as for health, and expressed his desire to increase the number of his country's tourists in the coming years.

He emphasized that Croatian companies make a major contribution to the development of Qatar.

Al Thani also discussed security challenges in the world and regional policies with the Croatian president, he added.

"Croatia wants to attract investments from Qatar in the field of tourism, especially health, food and industrial production, the defense industry, etc.," he said.

"Qatar is interested in investing in projects in tourism, urban development, energy and food production, especially through investments in mariculture.

There is room for developing relations in the defense industry, internal security, sports, food industry, energy -- especially with regard to the LNG [liquefied natural gas] terminal on the island of Krk," said Al Thani.

Grabar-Kitarovic wished much success to Qatar on the organization of the FIFA World Cup to be held in the Gulf state in 2022.

A total of eight agreements were signed in the fields of culture, defense, education, scientific research, sports and agriculture.

Grabar-Kitarovic visited Qatar's capital city Doha in April 2017.

During his official visit to Croatia, Al Thani will meet with Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and other senior state officials.

In 2017, the total trade between the two countries amounted to $63.9 million, up 3.4 percent from 2016, while Croatian exports amounted to $62.9 million, up 16.39 percent, and imports amounted to about $1 million and fell by more than 80 percent compared to the previous year.

The number of tourists is growing steadily. In 2017, Croatia was visited by 5,000 people from Qatar, an increase of 365 percent compared to the previous year.