ZAGREB ZAGREB, Jan 17 (Hina) - The prime ministers of the so-called quadrilateral group, a forum on regional cooperation comprising Italy, Hungary, Slovenia and Croatia, started in Zagreb on Friday.
ZAGREB, Jan 17 (Hina) - The prime ministers of the so-called
quadrilateral group, a forum on regional cooperation comprising
Italy, Hungary, Slovenia and Croatia, started in Zagreb on Friday.
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Prime Ministers Silvio Berlusconi, Peter Medgyessy, Anton Rop and
Ivica Racan respectively will debate a number of issues, including
cooperation in defence and peace-keeping operations,
infrastructure projects and the strengthening of trade relations,
unofficial sources said.
The agenda will also include minority protection issues,
environment protection and cooperation in culture, education and
scientific research, as well as cooperation in combating organised
crime.
After the meeting, the four premiers are expected to give a joint
statement and hold a news conference.
The meeting will provide an opportunity for Italy, as the only
member of the European Union in the group, to voice support for the
other three countries' bids to join Euro-Atlantic associations.
At the end of the meeting the four premiers will meet Croatian
President Stjepan Mesic at a working dinner.
The quadrilateral group for regional co-operation was established
in September 2000, when Croatia joined the trilateral group Italy-
Slovenia-Hungary. This group was founded at Italy's initiative in
1996.
(hina) rml ms