CROATIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS CZECH COUNTERPART

ZAGREB, April 26 (Hina) - Relations between Croatia and the Czech Republic are traditionally good, but economic cooperation should be improved, Croatian Foreign Minister Tonino Picula said after a meeting with Czech Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Jan Kavan, who is on a day-long visit to Zagreb. #L# "We have reaffirmed the traditionally good understanding and cooperation between Zagreb and Prague, as well as our common goals," Picula said, expressing a wish for a more balanced trade between the two countries, which amounts to one billion US dollars, with a huge deficit on Croatia's side. Last year's 800,000 tourist arrivals from the Czech Republic is an encouraging sign, Picula said, adding that Croatia would like to see Czech citizens join in the privatisation of tourist facilities on the coast. The two officials also discussed the stimulation of bilateral cooperation in multilateral organisations, and the situation in the region. Prague supports Croatia's wish to enter Euro-Atlantic organisations and the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA), Picula said. The Czech official said that there were no open issues between the two countries, which he said had signed a number of agreements stimulating trade in a short period of time. Kavan urged the improvement of economic cooperation, adding that Prague followed the economic and political situation in Croatia with great interest. The Czech minister thanked Croatia for supporting his country's candidacy for the country chairing the UN General Assembly. The two ministers signed an administrative agreement regulating the implementation of an agreement on health and social insurance. Kavan is also to meet President Stjepan Mesic, First Deputy Prime Minister Drazen Budisa and Parliament Vice-President Zdravko Tomac. (hina) rml