ZAGREB, May 6 (Hina) - Croatian Parliament President Vladimir Seks on Thursday received Norwegian Ambassador Knut Toraasen, Seks' office said in a press release.
ZAGREB, May 6 (Hina) - Croatian Parliament President Vladimir Seks on
Thursday received Norwegian Ambassador Knut Toraasen, Seks' office
said in a press release.#L#
Seks said relations between the two countries were very good, and that
Croatia was grateful to Norway for the 700 million kuna support to a
whole series of projects in Croatia. He added Croatia appreciated the
decision of the Norwegian government and parliament to continue
financing projects in Croatia this year with 100 million kuna.
Seks expressed gratitude for the support to Croatia's admission to
NATO and the offer of advisory assistance in European Union entry
negotiations.
Ambassador Toraasen extended congratulations on the positive opinion
Croatia received from the European Commission on its EU membership
application given all the efforts he said Croatia was investing in the
integration into the EU and NATO. He voiced confidence Croatia's
positive achievements would be recognised in June, when decisions on
granting Croatia EU candidate status and the start of entry
negotiations are expected.
During today's talks Croatia was said to be a generator of stability
in the region and consequently an important factor in the stability of
Europe. The positive evaluation of Croatia's efforts can encourage
other countries in the region, it was added.
Ambassador Toraasen said Norway would continue to support Croatia on
its road to the EU and NATO. He voiced confidence the two countries
would intensify cooperation in all areas as part of a joint
Euro-integration process were Norway to consider the possibility of
joining the Union.
The two officials said parliamentary relations between the two
countries were very good, and added the Norwegian-Croatian friendship
groups set up in both parliaments and the Norwegian parliament
speaker's visit to Croatia in September would contribute to them.
Seks and Toraasen voiced hope the intensive cooperation would boost
trade between the two countries, notably tourism, especially in light
of the fact that Croatia was named the favourite destination at a
January tourism fair in Oslo and in Norwegian media.
(Hina) ha