ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein held separate meetings on Saturday with Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlic Radman to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral ties and expand cooperation across key sectors.

At al-Salam Palace in Baghdad, President Rashid welcomed Minister Radman and his accompanying delegation.

The discussions focused on enhancing cooperation in political, economic, and cultural fields to serve the interests of both countries.

President Rashid highlighted Iraq’s political and security stability and its preparations for new parliamentary elections aimed at reinforcing democracy and peaceful power transfer.

He also reaffirmed Iraq’s commitment to broadening partnerships with Croatia and the European Union, emphasizing investment and development opportunities.

Radman, for his part, praised Iraq’s efforts to support regional and international stability and expressed Croatia’s desire to deepen collaboration in areas such as energy, education, investment, and cultural exchange.

Earlier in the day, Hussein hosted his Croatian counterpart at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters, where both sides discussed opportunities for cooperation in the oil and gas sector, as Iraq continues to invest in associated gas production.

Minister Hussein said Iraqi officials had proposed partnerships with Croatian energy companies specializing in this field.

The talks also covered defense cooperation, including light-weapons production projects with the Ministry of Interior and Croatian firms.

At a joint press conference, the Iraqi foreign minister said the talks also addressed developing Iraq’s ties with the European Union and NATO, in which Croatia is a member, to strengthen security cooperation.

The discussions included the role of Croatian companies already operating in Iraq’s electricity sector, potential cooperation in mine clearance with the Ministry of Environment, and defense industry partnerships involving the production of light weapons.

Both sides explored opportunities for cooperation in agriculture, tourism, and cultural exchange.

The Iraqi top diplomat also revealed ongoing discussions about visa exemptions for diplomatic passport holders and an agreement to prevent double taxation.

Radman thanked Iraqi officials for their hospitality and invited Hussein to visit Zagreb soon.

He reaffirmed Croatia’s support for Iraq’s unity and sovereignty and praised Baghdad’s constructive role in promoting peace and stability in the Middle East.