EC OFFICIAL ARRIVES IN ZAGREB TO STRENGTHEN EU-CROATIA TIES

ZAGREB, March 9 (Hina) - The European Commission's Foreign Affairs Commissioner, Christopher Patten, on Thursday arrived in Zagreb on a one-day official visit to Croatia. He is to hold talks with President Stjepan Mesic, Premier Ivica Racan, Foreign Minister Tonino Picula and Zagreb Archbishop Josip Bozanic, on preparations for possible contractual relations between Croatia and the EU as well as on the EU assistance to Zagreb. The talks will also focus on preparations for possible negotiations on the Agreement on Stabilisation and Association and the furtherance of the EU assistance to Croatia, said the European Commission's Office in the Croatian capital. Croatia views this visit as an important stage in concluding institutionalised relations and subsequent admission in the European Union full membership, read a statement issued by the Croatian Foreign Ministry. On Thursday evening Patten will open the European Commission's delegation and thus the EC office rises to a higher diplomatic level. Although it was announced that Javier Solana, the EU representative for foreign policy and security, would arrive, along with Patten, his visit had to be cancelled due to his busy schedule, said the Foreign Ministry. (hina) jn ms