This is the first visit of an Iranian president to Croatia and Khatami's return visit to his Croatian counterpart Stjepan Mesic, who visited Iran in June 2001. The two presidents will discuss political and economic relations between the two countries. The two sides are also expected to sign memoranda on cooperation between the Croatian and Iranian national television networks, the two academies of sciences and the Zagreb and Tehran chambers of commerce.
During the day, Khatami will also meet Parliament Speaker Vladimir Seks and representatives of the Islamic community in Croatia, and hold a lecture at the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts.
Before Khatami's arrival, the Iranian Embassy in Zagreb issued a statement saying that Iran attached special importance to the development of its relations with Croatia considering Croatia's geo-strategic position in Central Europe and its long Adriatic coast.
The numerous visits by senior Croatian and Iranian officials bear proof to the quality of political relations between the two countries, the Embassy said. Iran recognised Croatia in 1992, shortly after the country gained independence.