CROATIAN AND ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTERS MEET IN ZAGREB

ZAGREB, Oct 22 (Hina) - Croatia and Armenia share the same goal of joining the European Union, but cooperation between the two countries is nearly non-existent, Croatian Foreign Minister Tonino Picula and his visiting Armenian counterpart Vartan Oskanian said in Zagreb on Wednesday. #L# Agreeing that relations between the two countries were not developed, the ministers said it was necessary to start cooperation in political, economic, cultural and other areas. Picula told reporters after the meeting that several agreements were being discussed to encourage cooperation. "There is a lot of work for Croatian business people in Armenia's growing economic sector," Picula said. Oskanian agreed that relations between Armenia and Croatia were "nearly non-existent", but said that they had great potential. He added that Armenia's main goal was to become "a normal country" which he said it could attain by joining the European Union. The Armenian foreign minister said his country counted on Croatia's assistance given its rich experience in the process of accession to the EU. An agreement was reached in principle for the Croatian foreign minister to pay a return visit to Armenia. (hina) vm