PRESIDENT MESIC HOLDS TALKS WITH BOSNIAN PRESIDENCY MEMBERS

HRVATSKA KOSTAJNICA, Dec 9 (Hina) - Croatia and Bosnia should cooperate in the process of drawing closer to the EU, which is a long-term goal for both countries. However, entry into the Union will nevertheless depend on individual achievements, Croatian President Stjepan Mesic said after a meeting with members of the Bosnian Presidency in Hrvatska Kostajnica on Monday. #L# During a working meeting with the three members of the presidency -- chairman Mirko Sarovic and members Dragan Covic and Sulejman Tihic -- Mesic discussed the situation in both countries, bilateral cooperation and the situation in the region. This was the first joint activity of the Bosnian Presidency abroad. "Looking long-term, we have the same goals, which is joining a united Europe," Mesic told reporters after the meeting. "It is clear that cooperation in this field can be useful for both Croatia and Bosnia. Of course, we will join the EU depending on our own achievements, we will be judged on an individual basis," Mesic said. Commenting on the status of Croats in Bosnia, Mesic said that the High Representative to Bosnia, Paddy Ashdown, had described the situation in Bosnia well when he said that the Dayton Agreement was the foundation, while the roof was still unfinished. "Croatia will not nor does it want to pull down the foundations, but will help the roof being built," Mesic said. "We refused and are still refusing all political combinations which are based on division," the president said. He added that "the status of Croats in the neighbouring Bosnia is the subject of Croatia's constant interest. We are not forgetting that these are Croats who are citizens of Bosnia." Mesic explained why he had suggested that his first meeting with the Presidency members be held in Hrvatska Kostajnica. "I suggested that the meeting be held in Hrvatska Kostajnica because not so long ago we had problems in this town which we managed to solve successfully with the good will of both sides," he said. Sarovic said that it was important for relations between Croatia and Bosnia that "we continue the continuity of meetings at the highest level." "President Mesic gave the stamp to these visits," he said. Sarovic said that today's meeting was "important for people from both sides of the border." "The situation is stable and I think that confidence is being slowly restored in people," Sarovic said. (hina) lml sb