Croatian Ambassador to Qatar Tomislav Bosnjak, addressing the gathering.
By Salman Siddiqui/Staff Reporter
Bilateral relations between Croatia and Qatar will reach new heights now that the republic has become a member of the European Union, the Croatian envoy said yesterday.
Speaking at a ceremony to celebrate the Republic of Croatia’s membership in the EU at its embassy here, Ambassador to Qatar Tomislav Bosnjak said Croatia’s bilateral relations will not be affected negatively with any country with this new alliance.
“The bilateral relations with Qatar will remain unaffected. The same applies to the whole of GCC region. On the contrary, relations would now be more enhanced. The only difference between yesterday and today is that the Qatari and GCC states have now 28 instead of 27 friends in the EU members to sit down with and have constructive discussions, in which Croatia would advocate a deepening of relations in all fields,” he said.
He also spoke about the recent EU-GCC conference held in Bahrain. “As I attended the EU-GCC ministerial conference in Bahrain yesterday, I can confirm that there is a high level of agreement between us on all important international and regional issues,” he said.
The envoy also extended his country’s congratulations to HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani on his taking the reins of power. He said that both Croatia and Qatar were on the verge of a new era, which sought an even brighter tomorrow. “We were all impressed by the clarity of vision with which these events unfolded in Qatar,” he said.
About Croatia becoming the 28th member of the EU, he said: “It is a momentous occasion. We are joining a family of nations based on rule of law, democratic principles and consensus on crucial matters, where diversity is not stifled.”
HE Ali Fahad al-Hajri, Minister’s Assistant for Foreign Affairs, was the chief guest on the occasion, which was attended by diplomats from many countries. He congratulated the ambassador on the important occasion in Croatia’s history.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the event, the senior official said: “I think that Croatia’s membership in the EU is an important development. Qatar and the Arab world have strong ties with the EU and I believe that Croatia will certainly help us a lot, as it can become a bridge between the Arab and the western world.”
On the ties between the two countries, al-Hajri said that Qatar and Croatia relations have existed since the independence of Croatia. “I think that they are in the right track. We wish to further promote this relation in investment and energy sectors,” he added.
At the end of the ceremony, the EU flag was hoisted next to the Croatian embassy flag on top of the embassy as Bach’s ‘Ode to Joy’ was played in the backdrop.