ZAGREB, Feb 17 (Hina) - Croatia and Italy will work not only on the strengthening of bilateral cooperation, but on the strengthening of cooperation among Adriatic countries as well, Croatia's and Italy's premiers said in Zagreb on
Thursday.
ZAGREB, Feb 17 (Hina) - Croatia and Italy will work not only on the
strengthening of bilateral cooperation, but on the strengthening
of cooperation among Adriatic countries as well, Croatia's and
Italy's premiers said in Zagreb on Thursday.#L#
Speaking to reporters after talks between the two countries'
delegations, Italian Premier Massimo D'Alema welcomed the "new
course in Croatia," saying Italy wanted "special relations with
Croatia, and fully supports all of its endeavours."
"It is finally time for us to show that the Adriatic Sea too connects
the countries around it," said Croatia's newly-elected Premier
Racan.
Croatia's and Italy's governments will continue contacts with a
special meeting which should discuss the strengthening of economic
cooperation, Racan said, and announced Italian Foreign Minister
Piero Fassino would visit Zagreb in early March.
Today's D'Alema-Racan talks are the first on a prime minister level
taking place in Zagreb since the establishment of a new
government.
The Italian delegation has arrived in Zagreb to attend the
inauguration of Croatia's new President Stipe Mesic on Friday.
Italy is one of Croatia's chief economic partners. In last year's
first 11 months, Croatia exported to Italy US$705 million, and
imported US$1.1 billion worth of goods. Italy is also Croatia's
most developed neighbour, with a US$22,000 income per resident. Its
total export revolves around US$340 billion, while import reaches
US$285 billion.
Asked about prospects of Italian investment in Croatia, D'Alema
said the orientation Croatia's new government had announced
"represents lower risks for investing in Croatia."
The Italian premier said Croatia had been skipped over in the past.
He hopes this will be compensated and that investments will begin in
finances and tourism, two fields he said Italy was most interested
in.
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