The different economic and cultural foundations of the two countries and their position in sensitive parts of the world (the Middle East and Southeast Europe) made it possible for their relations to witness a positive trend after Croatia gained independence, the statement said.
What makes the relationship between the two countries compatible is the huge economic potential of Iran as a country with the largest natural gas reserves in the world, rich oil wells and mineral resources, and Croatia's technological capabilities and expertise in areas such as shipbuilding and the metal industry.
Numerous visits of senior officials from Croatia and Iran, which recognised Croatia as an independent state in 1992, soon after its declaration of independence, are an indicator of good political relations between the two countries, the statement said.
The embassy also cited the successful development of cultural ties through various cultural and art programmes, visits of the ministers of culture, and the signing of bilateral agreements in this field.
Iranian diplomats assess that Khatami's visit, the first visit of an Iranian president to Croatia, will make a substantial contribution to the development of overall relations between the two countries.
Khatami will visit Croatia at the invitation of Croatian President Stjepan Mesic, who visited Iran in June 2001. Mesic also visited Iran in 1993 in his capacity as parliament speaker.
Memorandums on cooperation between the Croatian and Iranian state television networks, between the academies of arts and sciences of the two countries, and between the chambers of economy of Zagreb and Tehran will be signed during the visit on March 7 and 8. Croatia and Iran have so far signed about 20 agreements and memorandums.
In addition to his meetings with his host and other senior officials, President Khatami is also scheduled to deliver a talk in the Croatian Academy of Arts and Sciences.
After visiting Croatia, the Iranian president will travel to Bosnia-Herzegovina.