ZAGREB, April 17 (Hina) - The mutual interests of Croatia and Slovakia for a speedy accession into Euro-Atlantic associations and consolidation of trade, with overlapping points in their recent history and political development,
provide guarantees for a successful development of cooperation between the two friendly Central European countries, Croatian Foreign Minister Tonino Picula and his Slovakian counterpart Eduard Kukan said in Zagreb on Monday.
ZAGREB, April 17 (Hina) - The mutual interests of Croatia and
Slovakia for a speedy accession into Euro-Atlantic associations
and consolidation of trade, with overlapping points in their recent
history and political development, provide guarantees for a
successful development of cooperation between the two friendly
Central European countries, Croatian Foreign Minister Tonino
Picula and his Slovakian counterpart Eduard Kukan said in Zagreb on
Monday. #L#
"Croatia and Slovenia have a common foreign policy reference point
towards Euro-Atlantic associations in which Slovakia currently has
more experience. Croatia is interested in this experience because
we wish to foresee the possibility of developing political and
economic relations between Croatia and the European Union and
NATO," Picula said after talks with Kukan.
He recalled that elections had been held in Slovakia a year and a
half ago, which significantly changed the foreign policy position
of the country.
Picula informed his colleague with Croatian foreign policy
priorities including drawing closer to Euro-Atlantic associations
and improving relations with all neighbouring countries "in a
measure in which these countries wish to improve relations with
Croatia".
"Croatia also wishes to strengthen bilateral relations with
countries of the Visegrad Group, because its Central European
orientation is a part of Croatia's foreign policy identity, and we
have received Slovakia's support in this," Picula asserted.
Croatia, Picula said, wishes to strengthen economic cooperation
with Slovakia, which is at this moment, at a rebalance, negatively
for Croatia.
He announced the possible visit of Slovakian Premier Mikulas
Dzurinda to Croatia this year, and Croatian President Stipe Mesic's
visit to Bratislava.
Croatian parliament president Zlatko Tomcic also received Premier
Kukan on Monday.
The two underlined great political and historic similarities
between the two countries.
The talks also focused on the recently implemented amendments to
the Slovakian Constitution and parliamentary activity in
harmonising laws with the EU legislature.
(hina) lml