BUDAPEST, Nov 21 (Hina) - Assessing that bilateral relations had been ascending in the last decade, the foreign ministers of Hungary and Croatia, Janos Martony and Tonino Picula respectively, said in Budapest on Wednesday the two
countries intended to intensify economic cooperation and step up the construction of roads connecting them. Hungary will support Croatia in its bids to join NATO and the European Union, Martony told a joint press conference. Speaking about cooperation, he said the results in tourism were impressive, and added Croatia and Hungary intended to intensify cooperation in the oil industry. The two countries are trying to expand cooperation on the construction of the Budapest-Rijeka motorway, and plan on jointly building a bridge across the Mura river, on the Gorican-Leteny border crossing, said Martony. He added his country supported Croatia's efforts to join the Central European
BUDAPEST, Nov 21 (Hina) - Assessing that bilateral relations had
been ascending in the last decade, the foreign ministers of Hungary
and Croatia, Janos Martony and Tonino Picula respectively, said in
Budapest on Wednesday the two countries intended to intensify
economic cooperation and step up the construction of roads
connecting them.
Hungary will support Croatia in its bids to join NATO and the
European Union, Martony told a joint press conference.
Speaking about cooperation, he said the results in tourism were
impressive, and added Croatia and Hungary intended to intensify
cooperation in the oil industry.
The two countries are trying to expand cooperation on the
construction of the Budapest-Rijeka motorway, and plan on jointly
building a bridge across the Mura river, on the Gorican-Leteny
border crossing, said Martony.
He added his country supported Croatia's efforts to join the
Central European Free Trade Agreement and integrate into Euro-
Atlantic structures.
According to Picula, Croatia ascribes great importance to
cooperation with Hungary also due to the fact that Hungary is
probably the most advanced transition country whose experience in
negotiating with NATO and the EU is valuable.
Croatia and Hungary in February signed and in April started
applying a free trade agreement. In this year's first nine months,
Hungary's export to Croatia totalled $176 million, an increase of
24 percent as against the same time a year before, while Croatia's
export to Hungary amounted to $46 million, an increase of 2.3%.
The first effects of the free trade agreement can be expected only
in a year, according to the two foreign ministers.
Martony said Croatia was making up for the trade imbalance in
tourism. Around 250,000 Hungarians vacation in Croatia annually.
Martony announced the two countries would step up contacts early
next year. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban will visit Croatia
in mid-January and President Ferenc Madl in March. Hungary's
consulate general will be opened in the eastern town of Osijek as
well.
Today Picula addressed the Hungarian parliament's foreign affairs
committee, speaking about Croatia's views of the current situation
in the world and Croatian-Hungarian relations.
(hina) ha sb