CRO DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER HOLDS TALKS WITH BELGIAN OFFICIAL

ZAGREB, Nov 10 (Hina) - Croatian Deputy Foreign Minister Vesna Cvjetkovic-Kurelec, as a part of regular bilateral meetings between senior official of Croatia and Belgium, held talks with secretary general of the Belgian Foreign Ministry Jan de Bock Friday. The officials discussed Croatia's approaching Euro-Atlantic organisations, the situation in Southeast Europe and bilateral relations, read a joint statement issued after the talks. "Particular attention was directed to the Zagreb Summit, as well as negotiations on the Stabilisation and Association Agreement, given that Belgium is to chair the European Union as of the second half of 2001", Cvjetkovic-Kurelec told reporters. She added Croatia could count on Belgium's support for Croatia's joining the European Union, as well as for Croatia's participation in the Partnership for Peace. Regarding bilateral issues, Cvjetkovic-Kurelec said they discussed a possibility for signing several agreements in the near future which should promote economic relations between the two countries. De Bock said Croatia should be faster in adopting some new laws which would enable even greater investments of Belgian entrepreneurs. The secretary general pointed to the significance of maintaining regular political consultations between the two countries as future partners in the European Union. The Zagreb Summit is a very significant event for us, one of the most important in this political year, de Bock said. He also expressed satisfaction that the talks focused on current events in the region. The Belgian official congratulated his Croatian counterparts on an incredible success achieved early this year regarding all European issues. He assessed that the European Union quickly reacted to changes in Croatia. (hina) it