BUDAPEST: PRESIDENT MESIC VISITS ECONOMY FORUM, ACADEMY OF SCIENCE

BUDAPEST, Sept 30 (Hina) - Croatian President Stjepan Mesic on Tuesday visited a Croatian-Hungarian economy forum in Budapest, which was attended by representatives of more than 20 Croatian companies. #L# Addressing the gathering, Mesic said that a good political situation and laws needed for the unobstructed development of economic cooperation had been established on the national level. The two countries have signed a number of bilateral agreements related to economic cooperation, the most important being a free trade agreement, which has been in force since the beginning of 2001, Mesic said. The Croatian president also addressed the Hungarian Academy of Science on the joint integration of Croatia and Hungary into European associations. The lecture was attended by Hungarian President Ferenz Madl. Croatia and Hungary share a long common history, but I consider the vision of our common future most important. The status of Croats in Hungary and that of Hungarians in Croatia has been regulated appropriately in line with European standards, Mesic said among other things. Congratulating Hungary on its admission to the EU next spring, Mesic said he did not believe in the setting up of Schengen barriers, but believed Hungary's admission would encourage Croatia to adopt and apply European standards in cooperation with Hungary. (hina) rml sb