MESIC AND RACAN HOLD TALKS WITH BULGARIA'S PRESIDENT

ZAGREB, Feb 17 (Hina) - Croatia and Bulgaria have the same strategic goals - the accession to the European Union and NATO - and both Zagreb and Sofia would like to further their bilateral cooperation, said Croatian President-elect Stipe Mesic and Bulgarian President Petar Stojanov after their talks in Zagreb on Thursday. "Concerning the European integration, we have the same aims, the admission to the EU and NATO," Mesic told reporters after his meeting with Stojanov. Croatia's head of state added that both countries would like to upgrade the standard of living and promote their bilateral cooperation. The cooperation should be enhanced, he stressed. Stojanov invited Croatia's President-elect to visit Sofia. Bulgarian President was also received by Croatia's Premier Ivica Racan. After their meeting Racan and the Bulgarian guest told reporters that they had agreed on a session in the near future of the joint economic and trading commission in order to promote the cooperation between the two countries in this field. Stojanov arrived in Zagreb to attend Mesic's inauguration as Croatia's President, scheduled for Friday. (hina) mm ms