EUROPEAN LIBERALS VISIT ZAGREB

ZAGREB, Jan 21 (Hina) - I believe that results from the upcoming presidential elections will be complementary to the parliamentary elections and that Croatia will use an opportunity to join European integration, president of European Liberal-Democratic parliamentary bench Pat Cox said in Zagreb on Friday. Cox arrived in Zagreb to express support to the presidential campaign of the candidate of the Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS) / Social Democratic Party (SDP) coalition, Drazen Budisa. Cox will join Budisa in the last two days of his campaign at electoral activities. The European Liberal Democrats is the third political force in the European Parliament. Cox should take over the duty of the President of the European Parliament in 2002. My visit to Zagreb is an act of solidarity of European liberals to Croatian colleagues. As an Irish, I also want to say that the experience of my country demonstrates profitability for finding its place in European integration. Ireland appreciates its independence but we also learned that isolation is not the right path for the development. If Ireland succeeded, so can Croatia. With political stability and as a part of European integration, Croatia can dramatically promote its development. The new Croatian Government can play a significant role, cox said. HSLS Head Committee Chairman Ivo Skrabalo said that in case the second round of the presidential elections is held, former German Foreign Minister Hans Deitrich Gensher will join Budisa's campaign. We are glad that standards of non ideological cooperation in the establishment of European unity are being implemented in Croatia. We are also glad that we can count on our friends in the European parliament, said SDP International Secretary Tonino Picula. 8hina) it