ZAGREB, Feb 18 (Hina) - Croatian Premier Ivica Racan on Friday held a meeting in Zagreb with the presidents of Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Turkey, and Macedonia, and one with the chairman of Bosnia's Presidency. The
said officials visited the Croatian capital to attend today's inauguration of Croatia's new President Stipe Mesic. Croatia wants to improve its cooperation with the Visegrad group of countries, which it considers friendly countries, Racan told reporters after the meeting with Visegrad group heads of state - Poland's Alexandar Kwasniewski, Hungary's Arpad Goenz, the Czech Republic's Vaclav Havel, and Slovakia's Rudolf Schuster. "Croatia's ties with these four countries are more numerous than I can state now," Racan said, adding the presence of the four presidents at Mesic's inauguration enhanced the importance of the event. "We appreciate it and we
ZAGREB, Feb 18 (Hina) - Croatian Premier Ivica Racan on Friday held
a meeting in Zagreb with the presidents of Poland, the Czech
Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Turkey, and Macedonia, and one with
the chairman of Bosnia's Presidency.
The said officials visited the Croatian capital to attend today's
inauguration of Croatia's new President Stipe Mesic.
Croatia wants to improve its cooperation with the Visegrad group of
countries, which it considers friendly countries, Racan told
reporters after the meeting with Visegrad group heads of state -
Poland's Alexandar Kwasniewski, Hungary's Arpad Goenz, the Czech
Republic's Vaclav Havel, and Slovakia's Rudolf Schuster.
"Croatia's ties with these four countries are more numerous than I
can state now," Racan said, adding the presence of the four
presidents at Mesic's inauguration enhanced the importance of the
event.
"We appreciate it and we will show our appreciation in our
cooperation with those countries in the coming period," Racan
said.
Poland's President Kwasniewski welcomed the recent changes in
Croatia, and invited Croatia to join the Central European Free
Trade Association (CEFTA).
"I am sure we can open a new chapter in our relations," the Polish
President said.
Before today's inauguration ceremony, Racan also met Macedonian
President Boris Trajkovski, Turkey's Suleyman Demirel, Bosnian
Presidency chairman Alija Izetbegovic, and Swedish Deputy Prime
Minister Lena Hjea-Wallen.
The government' Media and Public Relations Office said in a
statement the meetings were held in an extremely cordial
atmosphere.
According to the statement, Turkey's Demirel pointed out he viewed
the new Croatian government's statements on foreign affairs,
especially regarding neighbouring Bosnia-Herzegovina, as very
constructive.
Full compliance with the Dayton peace agreement, despite all of its
shortcomings, will ensure peace and stability in the entire region,
Demirel said.
The Stability Pact for Southeast Europe, with its concrete
projects, is extremely important for all countries on the Balkans
and for their cooperation, he asserted, adding Croatia could expect
Turkey's all-round support and assistance, he added.
The Racan-Izetbegovic talks resulted in a high degree of agreement
on Croatian-Bosnian joint interests and joint efforts necessary
for their realisation.
Racan acquainted the Bosnian Presidency chairman with the already
known positions of Croatia's new government regarding Bosnia's
integrity and independence, the return of displaced persons and
refugees, and preparations for concrete proposals for mutual
cooperation to be presented at the next session of a joint council
for cooperation between Croatia and Bosnia's Croat-Muslim
Federation.
(hina) ha jn