Croatia and Israel are two small, friendly and forward-looking countries, Croatian President Ivo Josipovic and his Israeli counterpart Shimon Peres, who arrived in Croatia for a visit of several days on Friday, told the press after talks in Zagreb.
"Our two countries are bound by a great friendship, there are no outstanding issues, and there is room for further advancing the good cooperation," Josipovic told reporters after the two countries signed an agreement on cooperation in culture and education for the 2010- 2012 period.
The Croatian president said the talks focused on bilateral relations and the situation worldwide.
Croatia and Israel are similar in many aspects, "they share a similar past, they both struggled for their freedom and independence and both won in that struggle," he said.
"They are also similar in that they look to the future," said Josipovic.
Small countries can create great new values, and two small countries can become an excellent combination, said Peres.
Croatia and Israel are similar countries, small and richer in history than in geography, Peres said.
Our history is wounded, but the moral foundation remains strong and convincing, the Israeli president said commending the Croatian people for deciding not to repeat mistakes from the past, but to look to the future with renewed hope.
Peres, who visited Slovenia before arriving in Croatia, is scheduled to visit the Jasenovac Memorial Site with Josipovic on Sunday, and is also due to meet Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor.
