ZAGREB, Aug 1 (Hina) - Croatia and Albania are interested in the strengthening of their transport communications and economic cooperation, said Croatia's Prime Minister Ivica Racan and his Albanian counterpart Ilir Meta after
Tuesday's talks in Zagreb. Albania's Prime Minister arrived in Zagreb this morning on a two-day visit to Croatia.
ZAGREB, Aug 1 (Hina) - Croatia and Albania are interested in the
strengthening of their transport communications and economic
cooperation, said Croatia's Prime Minister Ivica Racan and his
Albanian counterpart Ilir Meta after Tuesday's talks in Zagreb.
Albania's Prime Minister arrived in Zagreb this morning on a two-
day visit to Croatia.#L#
According to Racan, they discussed the improvement of the
cooperation between these two friendly countries who have the
identical goals: to build a democratic society and enter Euro-
Atlantic associations.
I believe that after my visit to Croatia, possibilities of concrete
cooperation between Croatia and Albania would enlarge and be
speedily fulfilled, Meta said after the talks.
He announced that the closer cooperation should start in trade and
transport with intensification of transport lines between the two
countries. Both countries are interested in the establishment of a
permanent air line and ferry service, Racan added.
The two premiers agreed that the transport links and bilateral co-
operation would be furthered with an improved visa regime or even
with the annulment of the visa regime between Croatia and Albania as
well as with possible inclusion of Montenegro in trilateral
cooperation.
In relation to this issue, Premier Racan explained that prior to the
possible rescinding of visas, Zagreb should hold consultations
with third countries with which it has very open border such as
Italy, Slovenia and Hungary because of agreements that enable
Croatian citizens to enter the aforementioned three countries on
production of only identity cards.
Speaking of the trilateral cooperation between his country,
Croatia and Montenegro, Albanian Premier said such cooperation
would facilitate the accomplishment of their joint aims in fields
of transport, tourism and the protection of the Adriatic Sea.
Commenting on the situation in the region Meta said better
implementation of the Stability Pact and regional co-operation
could not progress without a democratic Yugoslavia, but he stressed
that no compromise should be made with the incumbent Yugoslav
President Slobodan Milosevic who was a cause of all problems in the
region.
Albania supports democratic authorities in Montenegro and
democratic forces in Serbia, he added.
Considering Kosovo, Albanian Premier said his government complied
with UN Resolution 1244 which provides for the full autonomy of
Kosovo with the respect of the territorial integrity and
sovereignty of Yugoslavia. It also supported the right of ethnic
Albanians in Kosovo to self-determination and their right to decide
on their own destiny.
Premier Racan reiterated Croatian Government's stand that each
people had the right to self-determination and that problems in
Yugoslavia should be solved by democratic forces in that country.
(hina) ms