ATHENS, Nov 23 (Hina) - Relations between Croatia and Greece are +friendly, but possibilities of cooperation in all fields have been +insufficiently taken advantage of, the Presidents of Croatia and +Greece, Franjo Tudjman and
Konstantinos Stephanopoulos +respectively, said in Athens on Monday.+ "We greatly respect the role Greece had in resolving the (former) +Yugoslav crisis. Greece and Croatia are border countries in the +restless Balkans, and we will continue cooperating to contribute to +alleviating current crisis points, such as Bosnia-Herzegovina and +Kosovo are still in part," President Tudjman said after the talks.+ He pointed out that Croatian culture, and Croatian history in good +part, were based on the foundations of ancient Greece, adding the +Greek people's fight for freedom in the last century had been a +stimulus to the Croats in their fight.+ "The relations are friendly,
ATHENS, Nov 23 (Hina) - Relations between Croatia and Greece are
friendly, but possibilities of cooperation in all fields have been
insufficiently taken advantage of, the Presidents of Croatia and
Greece, Franjo Tudjman and Konstantinos Stephanopoulos
respectively, said in Athens on Monday.
"We greatly respect the role Greece had in resolving the (former)
Yugoslav crisis. Greece and Croatia are border countries in the
restless Balkans, and we will continue cooperating to contribute to
alleviating current crisis points, such as Bosnia-Herzegovina and
Kosovo are still in part," President Tudjman said after the talks.
He pointed out that Croatian culture, and Croatian history in good
part, were based on the foundations of ancient Greece, adding the
Greek people's fight for freedom in the last century had been a
stimulus to the Croats in their fight.
"The relations are friendly, but there exist possibilities of wider
cooperation in all fields, including culture and sports, and
especially in economy. We are interested in having Greece take part
in building an Adriatic highway that would connect countries along
the Ionian and Adriatic Seas with western Europe," the Croatian
President said.
His Greek counterpart Stephanopoulos said, "It is an honour to
welcome the architect of Croatian independence, Franjo Tudjman,
who is the most deserving for making our friendly country gain
independence."
Stephanopoulos hoped this visit would help establish peace in the
region as soon as possible, and that it would incite stronger
cooperation in all areas.
The Greek President was also pleased that Croatia and Greece had no
open issues or problems.
Tudjman arrived in Athens today for a three-day official visit at
the head of a high-ranking Croatian delegation.
(hina) ha/sp