CRO FOREIGN MINISTER TO DEPART FOR TWO-DAY VISIT TO MACEDONIA

ZAGREB, Mar 16 (Hina) - Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic will depart for Macedonia on Wednesday where over two days he and the highest ranking local officials will discuss bilateral relations, the situation in south-eastern Europe, and ways of approaching Euro-Atlantic integration. Granic will on Wednesday be received by Macedonian Premier Ljupco Georgijevski, while on Thursday he will meet Macedonian Foreign Minister Aleksandar Dimitrov. Croatia's Foreign Minister will also be received by Macedonian President Kiro Gligorov and Macedonian parliament president Savo Klimovski. Croatia and Macedonia established diplomatic relations seven years ago, and have to date signed numerous bilateral agreements, among else on the stimulation and mutual protection of investments, the avoidance of double taxation, free trade, scientific, technological, cultural, and cooperation in education, trade, economic cooperation, and social insurance. Zagreb's and Skopje's common strategic goal is joining the European Union (EU) and NATO. Macedonia has gone a step forward in relations with the EU, given that it has access to the PHARE programme and is a member of NATO's Partnership for Peace programme. (hina) ha jn