CROATIAN, SLOVAK FOREIGN MINISTERS DISCUSS BILATERAL RELATIONS

BRATISLAVA, March 1 (Hina) - Political relations between Croatia and Slovakia are excellent, there are no open questions, but there are many cooperation possibilities, particularly in economy and culture, Croatia's and Slovakia's Foreign Ministers Tonino Picula and Eduard Kukan respectively said in Bratislava on Friday. During a 90-minute meeting, the two ministers discussed in detail mutual cooperation and relations in the wider international context. Slovakia is ready to provide advice and convey to Croatia its experience in the process of rapprochement with the European Union. The two countries are ready to expand their cooperation within the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA), the Central European Initiative (CEI), the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and the U.N. Croatia and Slovakia are planning joint infrastructure projects by widening their tourism cooperation, as well as by stimulating agricultural cooperation. A joint business club was established recently at the Croatian Embassy in Bratislava with the aim of encouraging economic cooperation as well as joint presence on the third markets. Trade between the two countries currently amounts to US$84 million. The two ministers told reporters preparations were underway for a visit by Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan to Bratislava and a return visit by Slovak President Rudolf Schuster to Croatia this autumn. (hina) sb rml