LATVIA, CROATIA SIGN AGREEMENT ON COOPERATION

ZAGREB, Feb 23 (Hina) - Croatian Foreign Minister Tonino Picula and his Latvian counterpart Indulis Berzins on Friday signed an agreement on cooperation in science, technology and high education and an agreement on cooperation in the struggle against terrorism, drug smuggling, and organised crime. This agreement is the proof of good cooperation between the two countries, Picula said after the signing of the agreements and expressed hope that good political relations would encourage economic cooperation, which at the moment is very modest. The Croatian Prime Minister announced the implementation of a free trade agreement and an agreement on avoiding double taxation, which would come into force on Saturday. The Croatian Foreign Minister also said that good political cooperation between the two countries was based on the fact that Croatia and Latvia aspired to the joining Euro-Atlantic integration, adding that Latvia supported Croatia on its path toward NATO and the European Union. After the meeting, the two minister said the talks also focused on regional cooperation, considering Croatia's Presidency over the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative, and Latvia's presidency over Baltic countries. (hina) it