KIEV: CROATIAN, UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTS HOLD TALKS

KIEV, Dec 3 (Hina) - Croatian-Ukrainian relations are good and without open issues, and both countries are interested in intensifying them, especially in the economy, Presidents Stipe Mesic and Leonid Kucma told a joint news conference in Kiev on Monday.#L# Croatia's Mesic arrived in the Ukraine on Sunday evening for a two- day official visit. He was welcomed with the highest state and military honours. The two presidents concluded economic cooperation lagged behind the real possibilities. They expect an impending Ukrainian- Croatian Economic Forum, with the participation of the representatives of some 30 among Croatia's strongest companies, will boost concrete cooperation. Mesic and Kucma agreed the prospects of cooperation in the transport of petroleum were big, especially as part of the "Druzba Adria" pipeline project, as well as in the transport of petroleum from the Caspian region via the Black Sea and Odessa to Europe. They were also agreed as to the need of clearing the Danube, the navigability of which is important for both countries, as soon as possible. The two heads of state also discussed cooperation in tourism, concluding the visa requirements between the two states should be settled before the beginning of the next summer season. President Kucma accepted Mesic's invitation to visit Croatia. The two officials also addressed military and technical cooperation, the status of the Ukrainian minority in Croatia, integration into Euro-Atlantic structures, and the need of intensifying cooperation in combating terrorism and participating in the anti-terrorist coalition. Mesic and Kucma signed a joint declaration on cooperation between the two countries, while competent Croatian and Ukrainian ministers signed a memorandum on trade liberalisation and an agreement on international road transport. (hina) ha sb