ZAGREB, Nov 2 (Hina) - Croatia's and Turkey's strategic goals are a united, integrated, undivided Europe, and stability and cooperation in the region, the two countries' foreign ministers said in Zagreb on Tuesday, adding excellent
political relations should be reflected in economy as well. We believe EU's vision of a united Europe cannot be realised as long as countries like Croatia and Turkey are not its integral parts, Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem said. Croatian colleague Mate Granic said Turkey was a significant country in both the Western and the Islamic world, with a strong influence in Bosnia-Herzegovina. It is in this that Croatia and Turkey have and will continue to find common interests, he added. The two countries agreed to activate a tripartite commission, also including Bosnia, to assist in the implementation of the Dayton peace agreement, Granic said, adding he would
ZAGREB, Nov 2 (Hina) - Croatia's and Turkey's strategic goals are a
united, integrated, undivided Europe, and stability and
cooperation in the region, the two countries' foreign ministers
said in Zagreb on Tuesday, adding excellent political relations
should be reflected in economy as well.
We believe EU's vision of a united Europe cannot be realised as long
as countries like Croatia and Turkey are not its integral parts,
Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem said.
Croatian colleague Mate Granic said Turkey was a significant
country in both the Western and the Islamic world, with a strong
influence in Bosnia-Herzegovina. It is in this that Croatia and
Turkey have and will continue to find common interests, he added.
The two countries agreed to activate a tripartite commission, also
including Bosnia, to assist in the implementation of the Dayton
peace agreement, Granic said, adding he would discuss the matter
with Bosnian Foreign Minister Jadranko Prlic.
Granic and Cem also discussed the situation in Southeast Europe and
the Stability Pact for Southeast Europe, in which Croatia and
Turkey plan on cooperating intensively in politics and economy.
Croatia's Granic said Turkey was interested in and supported the
building of a Adriatic-Ionian highway.
Croatia has proposed stronger cooperation with Turkey in tourism
and road-building, as well as negotiations and an agreement on free
trade, Granic said.
Minister Cem reminded Turkey was part of EU's customs union, but
pointed to the existence of difficulties in Turkey-EU political
relations. He reminded Croatia has always supported Turkey's
positions.
Cem took the opportunity to wish Croatian President Franjo Tudjman
a speedy recovery after surgery he underwent on Monday evening.
(hina) ha jn