BULGARIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS CROATIAN TOP OFFICIALS

ZAGREB, Nov 21 (Hina) - Croatian Foreign Minister Tonino Picula and his Bulgarian counterpart Nadezda Mihailova on Tuesday held talks on the bilateral relations and on the economic cooperation between Zagreb and Sofia, the Foreign Ministry reported in ZAGREB. The two ministers described the Croatian-Bulgarian relations as excellent. Picula said the good political ties should be followed by better economic cooperation. So far the two countries have signed 16 bilateral treaties, and during the talks the foreign minister advocated the conclusion of an agreement on free trade between Zagreb and Sofia. The Croatian minister saw possibilities for the furtherance of the economic cooperation in agriculture, food-processing and pharmaceutical industries. Bulgaria's Minister Nadezda Mihailova pointed to the necessity to improve transport lines between the two countries, particularly by the introduction of a regular flight between the two capitals. She also advocated the cleaning of the Danube. Mihailova underlined the importance of the exchange of experiences in the process of admission into the European Union and NATO. She criticised the Stability Pact for Southeastern Europe due to its lack of efficiency and attempts to equally treat countries in the region . On Tuesday evening Croatia's President Stjepan Mesic also received the Bulgarian foreign minister. They considered preparations for the Zagreb Summit and the process of the EU's enlargement, read a statement released by the President's Office. Mesic and Mihailova discussed the developments in Yugoslavia as well. (hina) ms