ZAGREB AND BRUSSELS SIGN COOPERATION DECLARATION

ZAGREB, Oct 10 (Hina) - The mayors of Zagreb and Brussels, Vlasta Pavic and Freddy Thielemans, on Friday signed a joint declaration on cooperation between the two cities. #L# "This is the first step in establishing a lasting friendship between Zagreb and Brussels," Pavic said. She added that the declaration would enable Zagreb to enhance its international cooperation in line with the national policy of accession to the European Union. Pavic said the two cities would mainly cooperate in the field of culture, and announced that talks were under way to stage an exhibition of works by Croatian sculptor Dusan Dzamonja in Brussels next spring. Thielemans is the first mayor of the Belgian capital to pay an official visit to Zagreb. Thielemans said he would firmly support Croatia's bid for European Union membership. "You will obviously be able to meet all the European criteria," he said. The mayor of Brussels is due to meet President Stjepan Mesic later in the day. (hina) vm