STOYANOV AND MESIC: OUR COUNTRIES RESOLVED TO CARRY OUT REFORMS

SOFIA, Sept 11 (Hina) - Croatia and Bulgaria would like to show to Europe and the world that in the Balkans there are countries determined to carry out reforms and democratisation, Bulgaria's President Petar Stoyanov said on Tuesday after he received his Croatian counterpart Stjepan Mesic. Croatia and Bulgaria share a joint goal: to enter EuroAtlantic integration processes, Stoyanov told reporters after his meeting with Mesic. Croatian President is attending a two-day conference, organised by the US Agency for the International Development (USAID), in Sofia. "Our joint objective is to show to Europe and the world that in the Balkans there are countries determined to completely carry out reforms and achieve high standards in their democratic development," Bulgarian head of state said adding that his talks with President Mesic mostly focused on this topic. Mesic said he and his host had also exchanged their experiences in transition. "With Stoyanov at its helm, Bulgaria has started making major steps on its path towards Europe, and we are now doing the same in Croatia," Mesic added. The two presidents also considered the situation in volatile neighbouring countries. We wish that hot spot be removed as soon as possible and we wish peace in the entire region, Mesic said. We are aware that the situation in the region has an impact on the situation in our two countries, Stoyanov added. He also expressed his belief that Croatia and Bulgaria had bright prospects in all segments of their development. Until the end of this year Croatia's Prime Minister Ivica Racan will visit Sofia and we shall consider concrete issues on that occasion, the Bulgarian head of state said. In one month's time we shall convene again in Sofia at a summit meeting of presidents of Vilnius 10 member-states, Mesic announced adding that it would be an occasion for statesmen to analyse what will have been accomplished and what else should be done. (hina) ms