ZAGREB, July 9 (Hina) - Czech President Vaclav Havel said in Zagreb on Sunday a Czech state delegation's visit to Croatia was first of all a sign of support to and acknowledgement of the progress Croatia had achieved in its
democratisation. Havel spoke to reporters following talks with Croatian President Stipe Mesic, which marked the beginning of his three-day stay in Croatia.
ZAGREB, July 9 (Hina) - Czech President Vaclav Havel said in Zagreb
on Sunday a Czech state delegation's visit to Croatia was first of
all a sign of support to and acknowledgement of the progress Croatia
had achieved in its democratisation.
Havel spoke to reporters following talks with Croatian President
Stipe Mesic, which marked the beginning of his three-day stay in
Croatia.#L#
Havel arrived in Zagreb today at the head of a high-ranking Czech
state delegation holding talks with Mesic immediately upon
arrival. Later both took part in talks between the two countries'
delegations.
The Czech president reminded "this is the first visit the Czech
Republic's highest-ranking official is making to Croatia since it
gained independence."
"We obviously discussed many political and other issues relevant to
this region, but first of all, I would like our visit to represent
support to and acknowledgement of the progress which has been
achieved in the democratisation of Croatia," said Havel.
He assessed the big change which occurred in Croatia this year,
coming out of international isolation and turning towards new
values, namely coexistence for all citizens, were very important
for the entire region.
"I personally believe nothing in this region is over yet, but I also
think that democratic progress is evident and that the entire
region has taken the right direction," he said.
Croatian President Mesic told reporters the Czech Republic and
Croatia's interests and political positions were in complete
harmony.
Mesic said he and Havel also addressed concrete cooperation on
projects like the Adriatic-Ionian highway, cleansing and
reintroducing navigability along the Danube, possibilities for
Czech entrepreneurs' investments in Croatia, and tourist
cooperation.
Responding to a question from the press, the Czech President
confirmed he and his wife would stay in the southern Croatian
tourist resort of Dubrovnik for several days after the official
part of his visit here.
Havel said he was particularly happy that he would attend the
opening of the Dubrovnik Summer Festival, "for purely professional
reasons" since, he added, he was personally associated with the
theatre.
(hina) ha jn