Tehran, Oct 5, IRNA -- Croatian Parliament Speaker Josip Leko said on Monday that Iran is the most significant economic partner for Croatia and commercial, political and economic cooperation continued during sanctions era.

He made the remarks in a meeting with Chairman of the Expediency Council Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.
The Croatian parliament speaker expressed satisfaction with his visit to Iran and lauded the significant role of Ayatollah Rafsanjani in all phases of the Islamic revolution.
Referring to the tough era in the Balkan war, he said the humanitarian measures of the Islamic Republic of Iran under the then presidency of President Rafsanjani have been appreciated by hearts and minds of Croatian people.
The timely and positive measures of Ayatollah Rafsanjani helped people change their views on regional developments and the role of Iran, he said.
Croatian people and people in Balkan peninsula have recognized Islam some one hundred year ago truly understood that they should broaden permanent relations with Iran, said Croatian parliament speaker.
Croatian officials are to make plans to expand mutual cooperation and the current visit to Iran is in line with the same policy, he said.
He expressed the hope that the two countries officials would spare no efforts to help broaden economic, cultural, political, social and sporting events more than before.
He called the recent remarks made by Ayatollah Rafsanjani on terrorism as wise and said if the framework of his plan to be fully implemented, the region will get rid of terrorist groups and calmness will come back to the region.
'If all countries in the region cooperate with Iran, spread of terrorism mainly to Europe will be halted,' he said.
Croatia never forgets the memories of displacement of its people during war time and to the same reason they are now treating the new waves of refugees in good manner and support the government policies to this end, he said.
As declared by Ayatollah Rafsanjani, the issue of terrorism will not be resolved through bombardment, he underlined.
Experiencing many ups and downs, Iran is now on the right path of economic development mainly during sanction era, he said.
?Iran and Croatia respect the rights of religious and ethnic minorities, he said.
Croatia is to mark the one century anniversary of recognition of Islam in the country next year, he said.
Croatian parliament speaker heading a delegation arrived in Tehran on Saturday and conferred with his Iranian counterpart Ali Larijani and President Hassan Rouhani on issues of mutual interests along with regional and global developments.

By IRNA