CROATIAN, HUNGARIAN PREMIERS HOLD UNOFFICIAL MEETING IN ZAGREB

ZAGREB, Feb 19 (Hina) - Croatian Premier Ivica Racan and his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban held an official meeting in Zagreb on Saturday. Addressing reporters after the meeting, Racan said he and Orban discussed current relations between the two countries, their friendship and "ways to complete that friendship with a more adequate content, primarily in the field of economy." According to Racan, the two officials agreed that necessary preparations for a free trade agreement should be carried out before their official meeting. "We have agreed to accelerate our joint activities on the project of the port of Rijeka in which Croatia is very interested," Racan said. Asked to comment on the fact that after it had favoured Rijeka as its main access to the sea, Hungary chose Koper in Slovenia as a priority, Racan said he and Orban discussed ways to "lift our cooperation as regards the port of Rijeka to a higher level." Hungary is interested in Rijeka being its main access to the sea, however, "talks held so far have not resulted in such an outcome," Orban said. "I sincerely hope that we will be able to achieve the expected results with the new Croatian Government," Orban said. Hungary and Slovenia have a contract on the use of the Koper port, however, Hungary wants a much better cooperation with the port of Rijeka, Orban said, adding his country was interested in joint investments into and expansion of the Rijeka port. The two premiers also discussed cooperation in oil industry. Racan said his official meeting with Orban could take place in a month. The Hungarian premier met his Croatian counterpart at his request, before his departure for Budapest. Orban spent a week-long holiday in Porec, where he had preparations with the Hungarian third-league soccer team Felcsut, for which he plays. The preparations were organised in cooperation with the Croatian Tourism Board in Hungary. (hina) rml