ZAGREB, Sept 1 (Hina) - Croatian-Hungarian relations are very good and future development will focus on economic cooperation, Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic and Hungarian counterpart Janos Martony told reporters in Zagreb on
Wednesday. "Croatia and Hungary are two friendly countries which have excellent cooperation in all fields, politics, economy, and culture," Minister Granic said. Today's talks focused on bilateral relations and the situation in the region. Granic singled out as their most important result an agreement on cooperation within the Stability Pact for Southeast Europe. "We have agreed on a frequent exchange of opinions and on active cooperation on projects of joint interest within the Stability Pact," the Croatian foreign minister said. Granic and his Hungarian colleague also "welcome Poland's interest in full participation in the Stability Pact." Hungary's Mart
ZAGREB, Sept 1 (Hina) - Croatian-Hungarian relations are very good
and future development will focus on economic cooperation,
Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic and Hungarian counterpart
Janos Martony told reporters in Zagreb on Wednesday.
"Croatia and Hungary are two friendly countries which have
excellent cooperation in all fields, politics, economy, and
culture," Minister Granic said.
Today's talks focused on bilateral relations and the situation in
the region. Granic singled out as their most important result an
agreement on cooperation within the Stability Pact for Southeast
Europe.
"We have agreed on a frequent exchange of opinions and on active
cooperation on projects of joint interest within the Stability
Pact," the Croatian foreign minister said.
Granic and his Hungarian colleague also "welcome Poland's interest
in full participation in the Stability Pact."
Hungary's Martony expressed satisfaction at being informed about
the Croatian government's resoluteness to "cooperate with The
Hague tribunal." This will "make it easier for Croatia to further
approach Euro-Atlantic structures, which Hungarians support
entirely," he added
Martony assessed Croatian-Hungarian economic cooperation as
"extremely important." He confirmed expert teams of the two
countries were currently discussing in Budapest the signing of a
free trade agreement.
Both foreign ministers said it is to be expected the agreement will
be signed by year's end. Croatia should prior to that be accepted
into the World Trade Organisation, in November according to
Granic.
He and Martony said economic cooperation should be boosted by the
possible merging of the two countries' oil companies, Croatia's INA
and Hungary's MOL, and the inclusion of Hungarian companies in the
reconstruction of the Croatian harbour of Rijeka and in the
building of the Rijeka-Budapest highway.
The two ministers also talked about the protection of minorities,
the Hungarian in Croatia and the Croatian in Hungary. "We can be an
example to the entire Europe," said Granic. He announced a
Hungarian cultural-educational centre will soon be opened in the
eastern Croatian town of Osijek.
Martony said the Hungarian minority's position in Croatia has
improved considerably. The Croatian government is firmly committed
to provide guarantees to further improve that position, he
asserted.
(hina) ha jn