CROATIAN GOVT DELEGATION TO PAY VISIT TO TURKEY NEXT WEEK

ZAGREB, Nov 3 (Hina) - A Croatian government delegation, headed by Prime Minister Ivica Racan, will on Monday pay a two-day official visit to Turkey, during which it will discuss the improvement of economic cooperation with senior Turkish officials and business people. Prime Minister Racan and government representatives will hold talks with a delegation of Turkish government officials, headed by Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, on Monday. Racan, who is accompanied by his wife Dijana Plestina, will also meet Turkish President Ahmet Necder Sezer and a former Turkish president Suleyman Demirel. Racan is also expected to give an interview to the Turkish CNN branch (CNN Turk). The Croatian premier will deliver a speech before the Committee on economic relations with foreign countries of the Turkish Chamber of Commerce (DEIK) and meet the governor and mayor of Istanbul. Topics to be discussed during the visit include further development of bilateral relations, cooperation in strengthening peace and stability in the region within the Stability Pact, drawing closer to the European Union and opening talks on free trade. (hina) rml