OSLO, May 3 (Hina) - Norway is satisfied with the new political situation in Croatia which opens up the possibility for strengthening cooperation between the two countries, Norwegian Foreign Minister Thorbjoern Jagland said after
talks with his Croatian counterpart Tonino Picula in Oslo Wednesday. Picula left Tuesday for a several-day tour during which he will visit Norway, Lithuania and Sweden. Picula on Wednesday held talks with Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg and Foreign Minister Jagland. We are very satisfied with the development of political events in Croatia. This is good for Croatia and an promising and important example for the entire region, Jagland told reporters after the talks. This opens up possibilities for bilateral cooperation as well as cooperation with the EU and NATO, he added. Jagland said Norway would gladly help Croatia with the return of refugees and give accounts of its exp
OSLO, May 3 (Hina) - Norway is satisfied with the new political
situation in Croatia which opens up the possibility for
strengthening cooperation between the two countries, Norwegian
Foreign Minister Thorbjoern Jagland said after talks with his
Croatian counterpart Tonino Picula in Oslo Wednesday.
Picula left Tuesday for a several-day tour during which he will
visit Norway, Lithuania and Sweden.
Picula on Wednesday held talks with Norwegian Prime Minister Jens
Stoltenberg and Foreign Minister Jagland.
We are very satisfied with the development of political events in
Croatia. This is good for Croatia and an promising and important
example for the entire region, Jagland told reporters after the
talks.
This opens up possibilities for bilateral cooperation as well as
cooperation with the EU and NATO, he added.
Jagland said Norway would gladly help Croatia with the return of
refugees and give accounts of its experience in mine-clearing.
We also spoke about cooperation in energy supply and agriculture,
and we are looking forward to a close cooperation with Croatia based
on this new political situation in your country, he said.
Picula said the Croatian Government would deepen the chances for
stability and peace in the region and recalled Croatia's strategic
goals were drawing closer to the EU and NATO.
According to him, Croatia is hoping for Norway's financial support
in the project of return of 16,500 Croatian Serbs and expects
cooperation in energy supply and agriculture.
Asked whether Norway intended to annul visas for Croatian citizens,
introduced in 1998 after some 2,000 Croatian Serbs requested asylum
in Norway, Jagland said the Nordic Council would discuss the visa
regime for Croatian citizens in the light of the new situation, but
for now it was too soon to speak of an outcome.
Picula invited Stoltenberg and Jagland to visit Croatia.
The Croatian Foreign Minister is Wednesday afternoon flying to
Lithuania's capital Vilnius.
(hina) lml