CAIRO, Feb 18 (MENA) - Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli underlined that the visit by his Croatian counterpart Andrej Plenković to Egypt will contribute to bolstering economic relations and boosting investment and trade exchange between both countries.

During a press conference with the Croatian premier on Tuesday, Madbouli welcomed the visit by the Croatian premier and businessmen as marking a new stage of bilateral ties.

He noted that a number of memorandums of understanding were inked between both countries ahead of the launch of the Egyptian-Croatian businessmen forum.

He asserted that trade exchange between the two countries is growing in this period, highlighting support for the private sector, especially in the energy domain.

He commended cooperation between Egyptian and Croatian companies, referring to the Egyptian Petrojet's establishment of marine yards in Adriatic Sea in collaboration with Croatian and Greek companies.

He noted that Croatia's oil company INA enjoys concessions in some oil and natural gas fields in Egypt, thus reflecting the depth of bilateral ties.

Meanwhile, he highlighted cooperation in the reconstruction domain.

Madbouli reviewed the outstanding experience of Egyptian contractor companies due to their participation in giant projects in Egypt over the past 10 years and their participation in projects in a number of neighboring countries.

The talks between both sides tackled means of getting Egyptian contractor companies to join the Croatian market, he added.

Madbouli added that the Croatian prime minister welcomed skillful Egyptian workers in Croatia, noting that about 6,000 Egyptians currently work in Croatia.

As for tourism, it was agreed to operate air routes between Egyptian and Croatian cities soon, especially within the framework of exchanging support of Egyptian and Croatian candidates for international posts.

Madbouli thanked Croatia for supporting the Egyptian candidate for the top UNESCO post.

The talks also reviewed the latest developments in Gaza and the Middle East region in general.

Egypt and Croatia share almost identical views regarding several files, topped by a perpetual and just solution for the Palestinian issue, according to the premier.

The premier mourned the death of Egyptian Ambassador to Croatia Ayman Tharwat who passed away a few days ahead of Plenković's visit.

Tharwat played a key role in furthering bilateral ties over the past three years.

Madbouli said Croatia is a strategic partner to Egypt in the EU, thanking Plenković for offering full support to Egypt vis-a-vis various cooperation files with the EU. (MENA)

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