CROATIAN AND SLOVAKIAN AGRICULTURE MINISTERS DISCUSS COOPERATION

ZAGREB, Dec 6 (Hina) - Croatian Agriculture and Forestry Minister Bozidar Pankretic and Slovakian Agriculture Minister Pavel Koncos held talks in Brno on Wednesday, the Croatian Agriculture and Forestry Ministry said in a statement. The two ministers discussed issues of the agricultural production in Slovakia and Croatia and the continuation of negotiations on a free trade agreement. Pankretic, accompanied by assistant minister Mato Brstilo, arrived in Slovakia on Monday. The Croatian officials visited the Slovakian Agriculture Ministry, phyto-sanitary service and the wine production institution. The two ministers discussed numerous possibilities of cooperation, particularly regarding the exchange of experts from veterinarian and phyto-sanitary services. They agreed it was necessary to intensify the realisation of already signed agreements between the two countries. The two officials also exchanged opinions on the course of the process of harmonisation with laws of the European Union. "The exchange of experience is one of significant factors for cooperation in the process of the adjustment to European Union standards", Pankretic said. The Croatian Agriculture and Forestry Minister said his visit to Slovakia was very successful. (hina) it