CROATIAN AND RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTERS HOLD TALKS

MOSCOW, Dec 5 (Hina) - Croatian Foreign Minister Tonino Picula, who is in an official two-day visit to Moscow as of Monday, started a political dialogue with his host, head of the Kremlin diplomacy Igor Ivanov, Tuesday afternoon. During this morning's negotiations, Picula and Ivanov exchanged opinions on the promotion of relations between the two countries in politics and the economy. Commenting on the first round of negotiations, Picula told Croatian and Russian reporters talks were conducted in an open and friendly atmosphere, adding relations between the two countries were constantly ascending. "On the economic plan Croatia is not giving up its goal, namely to exceed US$1 billion trade with Russia per year, to achieve balance, and to have at least 100,000 Russian tourists and business people visit Croatia over the next several years", Picula said. Commenting on the first round of negotiations, the Russian Foreign Minister said the talks were concrete, adding Russia was satisfied not only with the current situation but it also saw that the relations have a great prospect not only in politics and the economy but in the international cooperation as well. After a brief encounter with reporters, Picula and Ivanov continued the talks, which were followed by a working lunch. During the lunch, the two ministers will exchange opinions on the political stability in Southeast Europe and stability in Europe in its entirety. (hina) it