SABOR PRESIDENT MEETS CZECH PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION

ZAGREB, Feb 8 (Hina) - Croatian National Sabor President and Acting Head of State Zlatko Tomcic on Tuesday met a delegation of a permanent commission of the Czech Parliament in charge of minorities. The Czech parliamentarians have been on a five-day visit to Croatia, the purpose of which is to become acquainted with the status of the Czech minority in Croatia. The delegation visited the Czech minority in Daruvar and Zagreb. The delegation's head, Jaroslav Sula, said their impressions were positive and that they were very satisfied with the visit. The visit will facilitate further cooperation between the two states and their parliaments, he added. A member of the Czech delegation, Frantisek Mezihorak, said the Czech Republic was interested in seeing Croatia within the European Union and the visit was a step in that direction. The two sides agreed that their countries wanted to access the EU and agreed on further cooperation between and coordination of their parliamentary committees in charge of European integration. The two sides expressed hope they would soon sign an agreement on cultural, scientific and sport cooperation. Earlier in the day, the Czech delegation met representatives of the House of Counties, headed by President Katica Ivanisevic. The two sides discussed the possibility of Croatia and the Czech Republic signing a free trade agreement. (hina) rml .