ROMANIAN PRESIDENT VISITS CROATIAN PARLIAMENT

ZAGREB, June 8 (Hina) - Romanian President Emil Constantinescu on Thursday visited the Croatian parliament where he held talks with the president of the House of Counties. "We discussed projects significant for the realisation of the Stability Pact (for Southeast Europe) and the economic progress of our two countries, especially an oil pipeline network from Constanza across Omisalj to Trieste, and the revival of a railroad across the Danube," Upper House president Katica Ivanisevic told reporters. She voiced hope the Croatian and Romanian parliaments would be able to contribute to those projects through mutual contacts, and the ratification of agreements and mutual cooperation. The Romanian President said he visited the Croatian parliament to pay homage "to those who built democracy in the Republic of Croatia." "At the same time, I have come with a message of friendship and cooperation from the Romanian people and the Romanian state." Constantinescu said he was satisfied with the talks he held with representatives of various political parties and parliamentary committees. Romania and Croatia will "develop inter-parliamentary cooperation, since it is an important factor in the cooperation between our states," he said. (hina) ha