MATESA, GRANIC ATTEND CEI SUMMIT IN PRAGUE

PRAGUE, Nov 5 (Hina) - The premiers and foreign ministers of 16 member-countries of the Central European Initiative (CEI) on Friday in Prague started a summit meeting which is to focus on possibilities of cooperation with the Stability Pact, the situation in Kosovo, and on intensifying the activities of the initiative, which marks its tenth anniversary. The establishment of the Stability Pact for South-East Europe is a challenge for the CEI since the two mechanisms share a large number of members and have many goals in common. Croatian Premier Zlatko Matesa and Foreign Minister Mate Granic are representing Croatia at the summit. The Prague summit started with an informal meeting of foreign ministers from CEI member-countries, who will discuss relations between the CEI and the Stability Pact as well as the priorities of future cooperation within the CEI. Matesa told reporters the CEI has a future as an association which promotes and implements cooperation projects among its members. On November 5 and 6, the Croatian officials will hold a series of meetings with their colleagues from other member-countries. (hina) rml