FRENCH PRESIDENT ARRIVES IN ZAGREB

ZAGREB, Nov 23 (Hina) - French President Jacques Chirac on Thursday evening arrived in Zagreb to attend the Zagreb Summit tomorrow. Chirac was on board one plane of the three announced French aircraft which should land on the airport of Pleso. About 140 members of the French delegation, including reporters and security came in Zagreb together with Chirac. At the Zagreb airport, French President was welcomed by Croatia's Foreign Minister Tonino Picula and Zagreb Mayor Milan Bandic. After his brief meeting with Chirac, Picula told Croatian reporters that they had concluded that this Summit was possible as changes had happened in Europe which prompted people to have similar opinions about the Continent's future and to eliminate their prejudices. At the airport a column of some 30 cars waited for the French delegation. Until Thursday afternoon it was not known which of the three French planes would bring Chirac in the Croatian capital. French President initiated an idea about this Summit of heads of state or government of EU member-countries and countries covered by the Stabilisation and Association Progress. He is also is the co-chairman of Friday's summit. Chirac is to meet Croatian President Stjepan Mesic on Friday morning before the start of the Summit. This evening Croatian Premier Ivica Racan is giving an informal dinner for participants in the event, who have so far arrived in Zagreb. (hina) jn ms