SPAIN AND CROATIA SIGN MILITARY COOPERATION AGREEMENT

ZAGREB, Sept 28 (Hina) - The Croatian and Spanish defence ministries on Tuesday signed an Agreement on Bilateral Military Cooperation in Zagreb. On behalf of the ministries the Agreement was signed by deputy minister Kresimir Cosic and the main director of the Spanish administration for defence policy, Admiral Francisco Torrente Sanchez. After the signing Cosic said the agreement was an important step in the promotion of cooperation between the two countries. The Agreement, among other things, includes cooperation between the two armed forces which will expand to science and technical cooperation connected to military applications, Cosic said. Sanchez said the signing of the Agreement was to the benefit of both countries' armed forces, because this will not only be a military exchange, but also exchange in other areas. He added that during talks he had understood better the difficulties in the region and that foundations have been laid for better cooperation between Croatia and Spain. A programme on bilateral military cooperation for the year 2000 will be signed at the Croatian Defence Ministry Wednesday. (hina) lml jn