CROATIAN PRESIDENT MEETS FRENCH PRIME MINISTER

PARIS, May 11 (Hina) - Today's talks were very constructive and the French side has estimated that Croatia can be the generator not only of democratic processes but of economic progress in the whole region, Croatian President Stipe Mesic said in Paris on Thursday evening, following an hour-long meeting with French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin. In a short statement to Croatian and French reporters Mesic said the talks tackled the possibility of cooperation in different fields, including the engagement of French technology and capital in Croatian resources. We wish to continue our cooperation on different levels, including that between the two parliaments and chambers of commerce, Mesic added, assessing his meeting with Jospin as very useful. The meeting between Mesic and Jospin marked the end of the official part of Mesic's visit to France. Before the meeting at the French government building, Mesic and members of the Croatian state delegation held talks with the President of the French National Assembly, Raymond Forni, and the President of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Francois Loncle. President Mesic also visited the UNESCO headquarters, where he held talks with UNESCO Secretary-General Koishiro Matsuura. (hina) jn rml