MESIC TALKS WITH SPANISH PREMIER, FORMER PORTUGUESE PRESIDENT

MADRID, Oct 26 (Hina) - Croatian President Stjepan Mesic, who is participating in a conference on democratic transition and consolidation in Madrid, on Friday held bilateral talks with Spain's Premier Jose Maria Aznar and former Portuguese president and member of the European parliament Mario Soares. Aznar, whose country will preside over the EU next year, expressed great satisfaction with the path Croatia has taken after 2000's elections, and congratulated Mesic on the achievements made hitherto, sources from the Croatian delegation in Madrid said. Croatia's rapprochement with the European Union is an indicator that the international community recognises the successes, Aznar stressed during the talks with Mesic. Soares voiced his full support to Croatia's joining the EU, and readiness as member of the European Parliament to advocate in EU institutions the interests of Croatia's membership. He accepted Mesic's invitation to visit Croatia. The conference in Madrid, organised by the Spanish non- governmental foundation for international relations and dialogue - FRIDE - and the Gorbachov Foundation, has gathered 14 heads of state or governments, as well as 18 former heads of state from 32 countries in Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America, mostly young democratic countries. (hina) lml sb