INA - BAGHDAD

Croatian PM Andrej Plenković confirmed on Monday that Iraq represents an important opportunity for development and investment in the energy and oil sector.

The Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Fouad Hussein met the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia Andrej Plenković, in the presence of the Croatian Foreign Minister and the Croatian Ambassador to Iraq, where the meeting was devoted to discussing the paths of cooperation and partnership between the two countries to enhance their efforts to achieve sustainable economic development and prosperity, according to a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs - received by the Iraqi News Agency - INA.

The two sides discussed ways to enhance cooperation in the sectors of the economy, investment and energy, with a focus on the oil and gas sector, emphasizing the importance of expanding cooperation in vital areas of common interests.

Hussein pointed out to "the necessity of strengthening cooperation between the two countries in the field of counterterrorism, as well as reviewing the outputs of his European tour and coordination on the unification of positions regarding the war in Gaza and Lebanon."

"The continuation of the war in Gaza and Lebanon may lead to new conflicts in other regions. The only way to prevent this is to increase pressure on the Zionist entity for a ceasefire," he included.

In turn, the Croatian PM expressed his "congratulations on the occasion of the opening of the Iraqi embassy in Croatia," stressing, "The importance of its presence in deepening relations between the two countries at various levels," as he highlighted "the need to develop bilateral cooperation, especially in the military and security fields and economic," noting that "Iraq represents an important opportunity for development and investment, especially in the energy, oil and gas sector."

The statement included that the Foreign Minister expressed his "happiness by visiting the friendly Republic of Croatia," stressing, "The strength of relations between the two countries and their common keenness to enhance them in a way that serves their development goals and contributes to achieving the interests of their peoples."