ZAGREB: SESSION OF CROATIAN-BAVARIAN COMMISSION STARTS

ZAGREB, Nov 20 (Hina) - Chairpersons Vesna Cvjetkovic-Kurelec and Walter Schoen on Wednesday addressed the Permanent Croatian- Bavarian Commission at the start of a two-day plenary session, held on the occasion of the Commission's 30th anniversary. #L# Croatian Deputy Foreign Minister Cvjetkovic Kurelec said the Commission was established in 1972 and its activities culminated in 1990, after Croatia gained independence. "Croatia wants to maintain and develop those friendly relations," Cvjetkovic Kurelec said. She noted that Bavaria accounted for EUR6.7 million of a total of EUR7.7 million of direct German investments in Croatia. Walter Schoen, a minister advisor in the Bavarian government, supported Croatia's efforts to draw closer to the European Union. The Croatian Culture Ministry and the Bavarian Government Office are organising the event "Days of Bavarian Culture in Croatia" to mark the 30th anniversary of the successful bilateral cooperation. (hina) rml sb