ZAGREB/STOCKHOLM, Jan 9 (Hina) - A Croatian delegation headed by chief negotiator for talks on the Agreement on Stabilisation and Association with the EU, Neven Mimica, on Monday and Tuesday held a number of talks with foreign
ministry officials in Sweden, which is this half-year chairing the European Union. The Croatian representatives, also comprising Deputy Minister in charge of European Integration, Mirjana Mladineo, and Foreign Minister Aide, Vladimir Matek, met with Gun Britt Anderson, state secretary at the Swedish Foreign Ministry in charge of development cooperation and asylum policy, Anita Gradin, former European Commission member and member of the Swedish team preparing Sweden's entrance into the EU, Frank Belfrage, chief director at the Foreign Ministry in charge of EU issues, and Sven Olaf Petersson, chief political director at the Ministry. "The talks focused on acquaintance with the Swedish EU presidency and talks on
ZAGREB/STOCKHOLM, Jan 9 (Hina) - A Croatian delegation headed by
chief negotiator for talks on the Agreement on Stabilisation and
Association with the EU, Neven Mimica, on Monday and Tuesday held a
number of talks with foreign ministry officials in Sweden, which is
this half-year chairing the European Union.
The Croatian representatives, also comprising Deputy Minister in
charge of European Integration, Mirjana Mladineo, and Foreign
Minister Aide, Vladimir Matek, met with Gun Britt Anderson, state
secretary at the Swedish Foreign Ministry in charge of development
cooperation and asylum policy, Anita Gradin, former European
Commission member and member of the Swedish team preparing Sweden's
entrance into the EU, Frank Belfrage, chief director at the Foreign
Ministry in charge of EU issues, and Sven Olaf Petersson, chief
political director at the Ministry.
"The talks focused on acquaintance with the Swedish EU presidency
and talks on the Agreement on Stabilisation and Association which
Croatia began with the EU last December," Matek told Hina.
The Croatian delegation informed the Swedish officials with their
views regarding stabilisation in the region.
They also tackled the possibility of Croatia receiving technical
assistance through EU programmes or via Swedish agencies, intended
for expediting reforms which would draw Croatia closer to European
associations.
The Croatian representatives visited the Swedish National Trade
Council -- a state agency for stimulating international trade --
and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency
(SIDA).
The talks examined possibilities of a presentation of Croatian
economy, tourism offers in particular, being held in Stockholm
soon.
The two countries' officials also spoke about bilateral
cooperation as part of the Stability Pact for Southeast Europe.
Sweden showed interest in the project of return of refugees to
Croatia.
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