SKOPJE, Dec 10 (Hina) - Relations between Croatia and Macedonia are very good but there is room for even an better economic cooperation, Croatian Foreign Minister Tonino Picula and his Macedonian counterpart Ilinka Mitreva said in
Skopje Friday.
SKOPJE, Dec 10 (Hina) - Relations between Croatia and Macedonia are
very good but there is room for even an better economic cooperation,
Croatian Foreign Minister Tonino Picula and his Macedonian
counterpart Ilinka Mitreva said in Skopje Friday. #L#
Picula and Mitreva discussed bilateral cooperation as well as other
issues of common interest, primarily the situation in the region
and Croatia's and Macedonia's drawing closer to Euro-Atlantic
associations.
In the past ten years since the establishment of diplomatic
relations, Croatia and Macedonia have been oriented towards
democracy, open market and membership in the European Union and
NATO, Picula told reporters after the meeting.
"Launching the prospects of membership of Euro-Atlantic
associations is our joint commitment," Picula said.
Expressing satisfaction with the countries' good relations,
Mitreva emphasised the importance of regional cooperation on the
path toward that goal.
The two ministers said they expected the five countries of the
Stabilisation and Association Process to be given clear prospects
of joining the EU during Greece's chairmanship over the European
Union in the first half of this year, particularly at the European
summit in Salonika in June. Picula and Mitreva expect the
trilateral cooperation of Croatia, Macedonia and Albania to help
efforts to join NATO. The two ministers said the three countries
would draw up a joint declaration regarding their future activities
on the path towards NATO. The declaration should be signed in
March.
Picula called on his Macedonian and Albanian counterparts to attend
a trilateral meeting in Dubrovnik this spring.
The Picula-Mitreva talks particularly focused on the need to
promote economic cooperation.
Trade between the two countries in the first eleven months of 2002
totalled around US$114 million. Croatia's exports to Macedonia
amounted to US$53 million and imports from that country to US$61.3
million.
The Croatian diplomat also held talks with Macedonian Prime
Minister Branko Crvenkovski, parliament president Nikola Popovski
and head of state Boris Trajkovski.
(hina) it