ID :
181400
Wed, 05/11/2011 - 10:48
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/181400
The shortlink copeid
DIPLOMAT HOPEFUL OF BETTER CROATIA-MALAYSIA ECONOMIC TIES
By R. Ravichandran
KUALA LUMPUR, May 11 (Bernama) -- Despite enjoying good political relations for many years, this positive element has not been translated into better economic ties between Croatia and Malaysia.
"Both countries are aware that they haven't completely exploited all the potentials arising from our good political relations, especially (in the field of) economy, " said Dr Mario Nobilio, who is State Secretary for Political Affairs at the Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration.
Dr Nobilo said this was partly due to geographical factors, with Croatia being at the crossroads of the Mediterranean, Central Europe and the Balkans, and Malaysia located in this part of Asia.
In an interview with Bernama, the diplomat also attributed the low level of economic linkages with Malaysia to the relatively small size of Croatia, which is home to some 4.5 million people.
Describing trade ties between the two countries as at a "symbolic level and very initial stage", Dr Nobilo said both countries focused more on trade ties with their respective regions -- the European Union (EU) in the case of Croatia, and Asia and the Pacific Rim for Malaysia.
This, he said, may partly explain the low level of economic cooperation between the two countries.
Croatia proclaimed its independence from the former Yugoslavia in 1991 and established diplomatic ties with Kuala Lumpur in 1995.
Dr Nobilo pointed out that politicians could create the right framework to enhance trade and economic ties although he admitted that merging the interests of two sides was not always easy.
The diplomat reckoned that there were many fields where Croatian and Malaysian businessmen could find niches for cooperation. Trade volume between Croatia and Malaysia amounted to only US$70 million in 2008.
Describing the political ties as "very friendly and healthy", Dr Nobilo noted that Zagreb had established relations with Kuala Lumpur at the very beginning of its independence.
Dr Nobilo said Malaysia played a very important role in peacekeeping efforts in the former Yugoslavia, sending troops under the United Nations (UN), and highlighted the country's constructive role at the UN in efforts to find peace during the conflict in Bosnia and Croatia.
According to him, cooperation between Croatia and Malaysia in the
international arena was excellent, especially at the UN.
The diplomat also alluded to Malaysia's important role in the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), where Croatia is an observer, as well as the Southeast Asian nation's prominent position within the Islamic world.
Dr Nobilo said he was very much impressed with the level of development in Malaysia which he described as "internationally very visible".
KUALA LUMPUR, May 11 (Bernama) -- Despite enjoying good political relations for many years, this positive element has not been translated into better economic ties between Croatia and Malaysia.
"Both countries are aware that they haven't completely exploited all the potentials arising from our good political relations, especially (in the field of) economy, " said Dr Mario Nobilio, who is State Secretary for Political Affairs at the Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration.
Dr Nobilo said this was partly due to geographical factors, with Croatia being at the crossroads of the Mediterranean, Central Europe and the Balkans, and Malaysia located in this part of Asia.
In an interview with Bernama, the diplomat also attributed the low level of economic linkages with Malaysia to the relatively small size of Croatia, which is home to some 4.5 million people.
Describing trade ties between the two countries as at a "symbolic level and very initial stage", Dr Nobilo said both countries focused more on trade ties with their respective regions -- the European Union (EU) in the case of Croatia, and Asia and the Pacific Rim for Malaysia.
This, he said, may partly explain the low level of economic cooperation between the two countries.
Croatia proclaimed its independence from the former Yugoslavia in 1991 and established diplomatic ties with Kuala Lumpur in 1995.
Dr Nobilo pointed out that politicians could create the right framework to enhance trade and economic ties although he admitted that merging the interests of two sides was not always easy.
The diplomat reckoned that there were many fields where Croatian and Malaysian businessmen could find niches for cooperation. Trade volume between Croatia and Malaysia amounted to only US$70 million in 2008.
Describing the political ties as "very friendly and healthy", Dr Nobilo noted that Zagreb had established relations with Kuala Lumpur at the very beginning of its independence.
Dr Nobilo said Malaysia played a very important role in peacekeeping efforts in the former Yugoslavia, sending troops under the United Nations (UN), and highlighted the country's constructive role at the UN in efforts to find peace during the conflict in Bosnia and Croatia.
According to him, cooperation between Croatia and Malaysia in the
international arena was excellent, especially at the UN.
The diplomat also alluded to Malaysia's important role in the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), where Croatia is an observer, as well as the Southeast Asian nation's prominent position within the Islamic world.
Dr Nobilo said he was very much impressed with the level of development in Malaysia which he described as "internationally very visible".
