ZAKOPANE, Jan 18 (Hina) - Poland supports Croatia's bids to join European integration processes and NATO and might lobby for Croatia in this respect, the two countries' heads of state said in Poland's Zakopane on Saturday.
ZAKOPANE, Jan 18 (Hina) - Poland supports Croatia's bids to join
European integration processes and NATO and might lobby for Croatia
in this respect, the two countries' heads of state said in Poland's
Zakopane on Saturday. #L#
Croatia's Stjepan Mesic and Poland's Aleksandar Kwasniewski held a
news conference in the famous winter resort as part of Mesic's two-
day working trip to the country.
Poland "supports Croatia's bids towards European integration and
NATO," said Kwasniewski.
"Our relations are at a very high level... Not only the political
but economic cooperation is constantly improving, especially from
the moment Mesic became Croatia's president," said the Pole.
Mesic stated that between Croatia and Poland there was "not one open
issue, but there exist joint goals".
"We also talked about Poland and President Kwasniewski's being
lobbyists for Croatia's entry into Europe," said the Croat.
"We highly commend the changes Croatia has made in terms of building
the rule of law, reforming the military and ensuring human rights
and freedoms," added Kwasniewski.
Asked by journalists about Croatia's prospects regarding EU
accession and retired general Janko Bobetko, who has been indicted
by the U.N. war crimes tribunal in The Hague, Mesic said Croatia
would apply for EU membership in February and might join by 2007.
"As regards general Bobetko, it depends on the doctors whether he
will be able to answer questions the Hague tribunal might ask him,"
he said.
Later today the two presidents should attend a World Cup skiing
race. They took the opportunity to comment on the sports successes
of Croatia's siblings Janica and Ivica Kostelic.
Kwasniewski, recalling the three gold Olympic medals won by Janica,
labelled her a slalom queen.
Mesic's visit to Poland confirms the constant rise of ties between
the two countries, which have signed some 20 deals in economy,
culture, transport, and tourism, as well as a free trade agreement
in late 2001.
Of particular interest to Croatia is Poland's experience in
negotiations on EU and NATO access and adjusting its legislation to
EU standards.
Poland became a full NATO member in 1999 and was invited to join the
EU at a Copenhagen summit last month.
In the past official Warsaw has expressed willingness to help
Croatia in its bids to join the EU and NATO on a regular basis.
Besides Mesic, Croatia's delegation visiting Poland includes his
adviser on defence and military issues Imra Agotic and assistant
advisor on foreign affairs Tomislav Car.
(hina) ha