CROATIAN AND SWEDISH PREMIERS SING CONTRACT ON STIMULATION OF INVESTMENT

ZAGREB, Nov 23 (Hina) - Croatian Premier Ivica Racan and his Swedish counterpart, Goeren Persson, who will attend the Zagreb Summit on Friday, this evening signed an agreement on the stimulation and mutual protection of investments between the two countries. According to a statement released by the Croatian Government's public relations office, Racan informed Persson of his Cabinet's efforts to recover the country from the crisis. Since the January elections in Croatia, the bilateral relations between Zagreb and Stockholm have been intensified considerably. Sweden offers the full and open support to Croatia and its policy both in the bilateral and multilateral fields, read the statement. Swedish Premier expressed the wish of his country to develop the cooperation with Croatia and congratulated Racan on the success in negotiations on the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA). Persson promised that during the first half of 2001 when it would chair the European Union, Sweden would support Croatia's efforts aimed at the entry to the EU. He stressed that countries covered by the Stabilisation and Association Process must be evaluated according to individual criteria. Commented on the Croatian community in Sweden, Persson described it as an element which linked the two countries. The two premiers agreed that it was necessary to further the economic cooperation. The contract they signed this evening is the first economic agreement to have been concluded by Croatia and Sweden. (hina) jn ms