PREPARATIONS FOR ZAGREB SUMMIT BEING CARRIED OUT WELL -- VEDRINE

ZAGREB, Nov 9 (Hina) - Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan, French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine and EU High Commissioner for foreign affairs and security Javier Solana assessed Thursday that preparations for the upcoming Zagreb Summit were being carried out very well, the Government's Public Relations Office said in a statement. #L# The same estimate was expressed during a meeting with Croatian President Stipe Mesic. Vedrine and Solana arrived in Zagreb Thursday to discuss preparations for the summit, taking place on November 24, with Croatian officials. Vedrine stressed as a fact that the summit taking place in Zagreb was an expression of recognition to the Croatian Government, the Government said in the statement. The Zagreb Summit is an opportunity to publicly promote a strong message of democracy for the benefit of cooperation in the region, as well as support for countries in the process of stabilisation and association with the European Union. The Summit is also an opportunity to review the situation in the region, Vedrine said. Racan stressed the Croatian government authority wished to, by any means, demonstrate its aspiration for cooperation in the region, the statement said, adding that he had "once again reiterated that Croatia was for regional cooperation, but not for a joint regional path into Brussels". According to the statement, Vedrine supported the importance of regional cooperation, stressing that the EU endorsed and encouraged the process of stabilisation and association in which every country will follow its direction with its own rhythm. Vedrine relayed Racan an invitation by the French premier to visit France at the end of February. (hina) lml jn