You're reading: Russian ambassador: Croatia to import 70 percent of gas from Russia in 2018

Croatia will import a record amount of Russian gas in 2018, Russian Ambassador in Zagreb Anvar Azimov said on Friday as part of the St. Petersburg cultural and business mission to Croatia.

“We are not only interested in exporting hydrocarbons to Croatia, although this year will see a record delivery. Croatia will receive 70% of its gas from Russia; about 2 billion cubic meters will be supplied,” Azimov said.

Russia plans to increase trade and economic turnover with Croatia to $3 billion in the next three years, he said.

“Our relations were losing momentum for decades, we had no political contacts, and our trade and economic relations were on the decline. We managed to intensify our dialogue in all areas over the past two years. Political dialogue, which is very important for our countries, was established, but we are extremely unsatisfied with the current condition of trade and economic relations between our countries,” Azimov said.

Trade and economic turnover between Russia and Croatia will be over $1 billion in 2018, he said.

“This is absolutely not enough, given our potential. I have already said that Croatian businessmen will not find the kinds of opportunities offered by Russia in any country of the European Union. Russia is a giant market of opportunities. We are keen on increasing our trade turnover to $2 billion, and our goal is to raise it to $3 billion per annum three years from now,” Azimov said