DURRES: PICULA ANNOUNCES INTENSIFYING OF CROATIA-ALBANIA RELATIONS

DURRES, Jan 22 (Hina) - Communication between Croatia and Albania will intensify this year as an introduction into economic cooperation, Croatian Foreign Minister Tonino Picula said after a visit to the Albanian port of Durres on Tuesday. "This year will see intensive communication among our politicians and hopefully business people," said Picula, adding he believed Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan would visit Albania by the end of the year. Today's talks with Albanian officials focused on concrete forms of cooperation, Picula said. A member of the Croatian delegation visiting Albania and representative of the Croatian Power Industry, Jakov Sinovcic, said Albania's daily power supplies were 60% short of its requirements, adding that power industry and power infrastructure were areas where Croatia could do business in Albania. Albanian Foreign Minister Arta Dode said an equal amount of attention should be paid to stability in the region. Much remains to be done, not only in bilateral but multilateral relations as well if we want the region to be better and safer, Dode said, accepting Picula's invitation to visit Croatia. The Croatian foreign minister today also met Albanian President Rexhep Meidani and Parliament Speaker Nadik Dokle. (hina) rml