CROATIAN & ITALIAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTERS DISCUSS COOPERATION

SANADER, Nov 19 (Hina) - Croatian Deputy Foreign Minister Ivo Sanader and his Italian counterpart Umberto Rainieri on Thursday discussed bilateral relations and Croatia's aspirations towards joining European integration processes. "Italy is Croatia's most important trade partner and we want to continue developing our friendly and good neighbourly relations", said Sanader after the meeting in Zagreb. Croatia especially appreciates Italy's support for its efforts to join European and trans-atlantic associations, Sanader said. We intend to offer all the necessary support to Croatia in its efforts to get closer to European and trans-atlantic associations, said Rainieri adding that his government appreciated Croatia's efforts in strengthening its democracy. The economic, military and cultural cooperation between the two countries has started to improve over the past year. Italy intends to strengthen all forms of cooperation with Croatia, the Italian official said. Croatia has already proposed the signing of the already agreed document on military cooperation, said Sanader. The two officials also discussed the implementation of an agreement on the protection of minorities the two countries signed two years ago. (hina) rml