ZAGREB, Oct 29 (Hina) - For the first time since gaining independence, Croatia will be visited by a German chancellor, Gerhard Schroeder, the leader of the ruling coalition of the Social Democrats and the Green Party, who arrives on
Thursday.
ZAGREB, Oct 29 (Hina) - For the first time since gaining
independence, Croatia will be visited by a German chancellor,
Gerhard Schroeder, the leader of the ruling coalition of the Social
Democrats and the Green Party, who arrives on Thursday. #L#
The visit will be an opportunity to review bilateral relations,
which both sides regard as good. Schroeder's talks with Croatian
officials will focus on bilateral relations, the situation in the
region, international security, Iraq, and U.N. reforms.
Another important topic will be Croatia's Euro-Atlantic
integration. Germany and Croatia have maintained good relations at
all levels, and Berlin has been of great help to Zagreb in meeting
its strategic goals -- admission to the European Union and NATO.
Croatia and Germany also have good economic relations. Germany is
Croatia's second biggest trade partner and the second biggest
investor after Austria. German companies have invested US$1.7
billion, 24 percent of all foreign investments in the country.
In talks with Jutarnji List daily and Globus weekly ahead of the
visit, Schroeder said Germany would continue to stand by Croatia in
its bids to join the EU, and that he was impressed by what Croatia
had done with respect to true parliamentary democracy. He also
pointed to the need of meeting all Copenhagen criteria required for
admission to the Union.
Schroeder will be accompanied by about 20 German journalists,
including those from the ZDF, ARD, and NTV television stations.
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