WARSAW, Feb 12 (Hina) - Croatian and Polish Prime Ministers Ivica Racan and Jerzy Buzek held talks in Warsaw Monday about the two countries' political relations, primarily stressing the importance of joint efforts in Euro-Atlantic
associations and the upcoming signing of a free trade agreement.
WARSAW, Feb 12 (Hina) - Croatian and Polish Prime Ministers Ivica
Racan and Jerzy Buzek held talks in Warsaw Monday about the two
countries' political relations, primarily stressing the
importance of joint efforts in Euro-Atlantic associations and the
upcoming signing of a free trade agreement. #L#
Racan arrived in Poland Sunday for a two-day official visit,
accompanied with a large delegation.
"We can get good advice from Poland on how to be successful as them
on the way to Brussels," Racan told reporters after the talks.
Poland is a member of NATO and associate member of the European
Union.
Buzek stressed Croatia played a crucial role in the stabilisation
of the region and Croatia's drawing closer to NATO and the EU was in
Poland's interest.
Both prime ministers pointed out the importance of the signing of
the free trade agreement which is significant for Croatia due to its
connecting with the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA),
as well as for the cooperation between Poland and Croatia.
"Poland's support to Croatia's entry into the CEFTA is very
important," Racan said.
According to announcements, the two countries could sign the free
trade agreement by the end of this year.
Racan and Buzek also tackled the construction of a gas line from the
Baltic to the Adriatic, which is a subject discussed by Croatian
President Stipe Mesic with Polish officials during his last June's
visit to Warsaw.
We concluded Europe's interest "is not only strengthening the east-
west corridor, but also the north-south corridor from the Baltic to
the Adriatic," Racan said, adding the construction of the gas line
could be followed by the construction of roads and railways.
"We shall take part in the further elaboration of projects of
bringing in Norway's gas to Croatia," Racan said.
The two premiers also discussed direct mutual investments and
cultural cooperation. Racan invited his Polish counterpart for a
visit to Croatia.
Upon the completion of the talks, Croatian Maritime Affairs,
Transport and Communications Minister Alojz Tusek and his Polish
counterpart Jerzy Wizyk signed an agreement on maritime
transport.
(hina) lml