Diplomatic Diary: Croatia, Egypt to strengthen ties

20/10/2009

Egypt and Croatia talk economic co-operation. Also in diplomatic news: Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov and Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul met in Ankara and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev visits Serbia.

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak inspects an honour guard in Zagreb on Friday (October 16th). [AFP]

Croatian Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak agreed on Saturday (October 17th) to boost economic co-operation between their countries in the fields of tourism and energy. Kosor invited Egypt to consider other sectors of co-operation as well, such as shipbuilding and food industries. Mubarak, who arrived Friday on a two-day visit to Croatia, invited Kosor to visit Egypt.

***

Russian Minister of Emergency Situations Sergey Shoigu was in Belgrade on Monday (October 19th), for talks with Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic and Interior Minister Ivica Dacic.

***

Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov and Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul met in Ankara on Friday (October 16th), where Gul reiterated that Turkey will continue to defend Macedonia's interests and positions in NATO. Both officials agreed that economic and commercial ties could be boosted by encouraging Turkish businesses to invest in Macedonia.

***

Israeli President Shimon Peres and his visiting Macedonian counterpart Gjorge Ivanov said on Monday (October 19th) that friendly relations between their countries have improved economic ties. Ivanov is in Israel to participate in the annual conference "Facing Tomorrow", drawing officials, politicians, scientists and experts from around the world.

***

US President Barack Obama and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke by phone Saturday (October 17th), discussing the situation in Afghanistan, the recent initiative to improve ties between Turkey and Armenia, the Cypriot issue and ways to promote stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Erdogan is expected to visit Washington later this month.

***

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki met with Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday (October 15th) and urged Ankara to respect Iraq's sovereignty while conducting military operations against terrorist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) bases in northern Iraq. After the meeting, Erdogan acknowledged Iraq's sovereignty, but stressed that PKK members pose a threat to Turkey's security and Ankara will continue to fight them.

***

Estonia strongly supports the EU accession of Western Balkan countries, President Toomas Hendrik Ilves said on Thursday (October 15th) in Belgrade after meeting with Serbian counterpart Boris Tadic. The two officials announced future co-operation in the field of energy. While in Belgrade, the Estonian president also met with Parliament Speaker Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic.

***

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev kicked off a day-long visit to Serbia on Tuesday (October 20th). He will hold talks with officials and attend ceremonies marking the 65th anniversary of Belgrade's liberation in World War II. Security in the capital is tight for the visit.

(Various sources – 13/10/09-20/10/09)