CROATIAN PRESIDENT SPEAKS AT SEECP SUMMIT IN TIRANA

TIRANA, March 28 (Hina) - Croatia's participation in the meeting of Southeast European countries in Tirana marks the establishment of communication with neighbours and indicates Croatia's readiness to cooperate with other countries as well, Croatian President Stipe Mesic said in Tirana on Thursday.#L# Mesic is participating in the Fifth South East Europe Co-operation Process (SEECP) Summit. The SEECP comprises Albania, Bosnia- Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Greece, Macedonia, Romania, Yugoslavia and Turkey, while Croatia has observer status. Commenting on Croatia's participation in the summit, Mesic pointed to the importance of economic and political aspects of cooperation with neighbours. Mesic said that cooperation among Southeast European countries was aimed at drawing closer to Europe, which is a strategic goal of Southeast European countries. "Regional cooperation and integration with the European Union aren't mutually opposed," Mesic said. He added that the principle of individual approach would not be brought into question in any moment. According to Mesic, the ability to establish and develop regional cooperation is one of the criteria for integrating with a united Europe. Croatia is ready for normal relations with its neighbours and all countries in the region, Mesic said. He stressed that it was necessary to start and promote cooperation in all possible fields and encourage regional associations. The Croatian president met his Albanian counterpart Rexep Meidani to discuss the situation in the region, particularly in the light of an agreement defining relations between Serbia and Montenegro, as well as the promotion of cooperation between Croatia and Albania. Mesic will hold several bilateral talks this afternoon. The summit in Tirana should end after the adoption of a final document. (hina) it