SPLIT, Croatia, June 4 -- Croatian President Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic expressed on Thursday her confidence that the cooperation between Croatia and China would reach a higher stage, especially in economic and trade sections.

Addressing a deck reception hosted by the 19th Chinese escort fleet in Lora Naval Base in Split, the coastal city of Croatia, Grabar Kitarovic said she believed that political trust between both sides should produce more fruits of bilateral economic cooperation.

"There is a great potential for cooperation in all fields," she added.

She expressed confidence that the visit of Chinese naval fleet would deepen the cooperation, not only for the navies of the two countries but also for various fields between the two.

She highly commended the contributions the Chinese escort fleet has made towards the freedom and safety of dangerous international sea routes.

Croatia could share China's rich experience in peacekeeping, humanitarian relief, training staff and evacuation operation as well, she said.

Rear Admiral Jiang Guoping, commanding officer of the 19th Chinese naval escort fleet, said the visit was great successful.

He said the Croatian people's friendliness to China impressed him deeply, adding: "I am confident that the visit would promote the traditional friendship between two armies and nations to a new stage."

Chinese Ambassador to Croatia Deng Ying said 2015 was the year marking the tenth anniversary of comprehensive partnership between China and Croatia, making the Chinese naval fleet's visit to Split very important.

This was very significant not just because of the exchange of experience between the two navies but also for relations between the two countries, she said.

Thursday's event was attended among others by former Croatian President Stjepan Mesic, Deputy speaker of Croatian parliament Nenad Stazic, the chief of general staff of Croatian armed forces general Drago Lovric and the Croatian navy commander commodore Predrag Stipanovic.