CROATIAN FOREIGN MINISTER RECEIVES MACEDONIAN COUNTERPART

ZAGREB, April 3 (Hina) - Croatia and Macedonia agree that the international community should as soon as possible invest a significant amount into the South East of Europe in order for the stability in the region to consolidate and develop, Croatian and Macedonian foreign ministers Tonino Picula and Aleksandar Dimitrov said after talks in Zagreb Monday. Dimitrov is on a day-long official visit to Croatia. The talks between the two ministers mainly focused on the mutual goal of both countries -- approaching Euro-Atlantic associations. Macedonia is starting talks with the European Union about an Agreement on Association and Stability in two days. "We expect Croatia to soon join Macedonia in these negotiations," Dimitrov said, adding that there should be no competition among countries which wish to approach the EU, but rather cooperation. Croatia's Picula said Croatia was to begin negotiations with the EU on the same agreement this year. The foreign ministers agreed that the economic cooperation between the two countries should reach the level of political relations which were exceptionally good. Through the development of bilateral relations the two countries wish to actively work on regional cooperation within the Stability Pact for the South East of Europe. (hina) lml