MESIC RECEIVES CHIRAC'S LETTER OF THANKS FOR HOSPITALITY

ZAGREB, Nov 30 (Hina) - Croatia's President Stjepan Mesic on Thursday received a letter of thanks from French President Jacques Chirac, who expressed gratitude to Mesic for the hospitality during the 24 November Summit in Zagreb. French President also expressed satisfaction with the organisation of that meeting of heads of state or government of the 15 EU member- states and countries covered by the Stabilisation and Association Process, with the Summit's achievements as well as with the cooperation between Croatia and France - the chief co-organisers of that event. According to a statement issued by Mesic's Office this evening Chirac thanked the Croatian president for the warm welcome in Zagreb. "The excellent organisation of the Summit by the Croatian authorities very much contributed to the success of that meeting, which marks an important stage in the relations of this region with the European Union," Chirac's letter read. According to his letter, the commencement of negotiations on a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) between Croatia and the European Union was "an important moment of the Summit." I am particularly pleased with the fact that the cooperation between our two countries during preparations and at the Summit was successful and thus a decisive factor of its success. This joint initiative was also an opportunity for the furtherance of the cooperation between our two countries, Chirac wrote to Mesic. (hina) ms