PRESIDENT MESIC MEETS DAIMLER-CHRYSLER DELEGATION

ZAGREB, March 27 (Hina) - Croatian President Stipe Mesic on Monday held talks with the authorised agent of Daimler-Chrysler concern, Matthias Kleinert, on the possibility of cooperation between Croatian business people and the international concern. Kleinert, who headed a 17-member delegation, told reporters the purpose of the visit was to demonstrate, after the recent elections in Croatia, that the company was interested in a long-term cooperation with Croatia. It is especially important to make every possible effort to connect Croatia's economic potential with opportunities offered by a global factor such as Daimler-Chrysler, Kleinert said, stressing the wish for deepening cooperation between Germany and Croatia, which, he said, is part of Europe and feels like part of Europe. Asked to reveal the nature of the cooperation discussed at the meeting, Kleinert said talks on cooperation were the purpose of the meeting. The purpose of the meeting was to make our talks on cooperation more concrete, intensify them and bring them closer to the implementation stage, Kleinert said, adding all areas of economic cooperation would be established during the visit. Mesic's advisor on internal affairs Igor Dekanic spoke in more detail about today's meeting. He said the President's team of advisors discussed aviation, defence systems, and other high technology areas with the Daimler-Chrysler delegation, which also included representatives from Daimler-Chrysler Airbus and other companies. It was agreed that cooperation directions be opened between Croatian companies and industry and high-tech producers from Germany and other European Union countries. The President and his advisors assured their guests that the President's office would support all measures by the Croatian government and economy in that regard. (hina) mm rml