EURO-ATLANTIC INTEGRATION COMMON GOAL OF CROATIA $ SLOVAKIA - FOREIGN MINISTERS

FOREIGN MINISTERS ( Editorial: --> 2193 ) ZAGREB, June 18 (Hina) - Croatia and Slovakia have common strategic goals which are access to NATO and the European Union, the Foreign Ministers of Croatia and Slovakia said in Zagreb Thursday. "We have discussed experience in negotiations with the European Union", Croatia's Mate Granic told reporters. Slovakia's Zdenka Kramplova, on a several-day visit to Croatia, emphasised that her country supports Croatia's aspirations to access Euro-Atlantic integration. Both Foreign Ministers agreed that cooperation between Slovakia and Croatia is good and has considerable possibilities for further advancement. Seventeen agreements and protocols have been signed to date. By succession Croatia has taken over 31 agreements from the former Yugoslavia. Currently underway are negotiations on free trade, also linked with the Czech Republic which makes a customs union with Slovakia. A free trade agreement is expected to be signed upon Croatia's access to the World Trade Organisation. The Slovak Foreign Minister said she had come to Zagreb with a proposal for the use of Croatian seaports and a proposal for the signing of a railway transport agreement. Slovakia is also willing to cooperate in fighting organised crime and drug smuggling, Kramplova said. (hina) ha jn 181728 MET jun 98