CROATIAN PRIME MINISTER RECEIVES VERHEUGEN

ZAGREB, May 13 (Hina) - Croatian Prime Minister Zlatko Matesa on Thursday held talks with the State Minister at the Germany Foreign Ministry, Guenther Verheugen, about the German initiative of the Stability Pact for south-eastern Europe, relations between the two countries and the situation in the region, the Croatian Government's Public and Media Relations Office said. Speaking about the Stability Pact and Croatia's role, Matesa said without economic stability in the region there can be no political stability, and added the EU must find mechanisms to attract these countries in an institutional manner. Verheugen stressed it was in Germany's and Europe's interest for economic, political and security stability be not only maintained in the region, but also strengthened. According to him, there is a very tight connection between the Stability Pact and European associations, from a political point of view, the statement said. Verheugen stressed Germany would help Croatia on its path towards the European Union, but Croatia must fulfil conditions requested of it. Relations between the two countries were described as very good, particularly in political and economic fields, and both sides agreed they need to be promoted even further, the statement said. (hina) lml