CROATIA AND AUSTRIA TO ESTABLISH CLOSER MILITARY COOPERATION

ZAGREB, Nov 27 (Hina) - Austrian experience in the Partnership for Peace programme is valuable for Croatia, while Austria is interested in Croatia's doctrine and training, Croatian army Chief-of-Staff Vice-Admiral Davor Domazet said upon returning from his one-day official visit to Austria. An equal cooperation to the interest of both countries is expected to develop, he told reporters. Croatia has developed a doctrine, modern means of combat, created by the experiences in the Homeland War, Domazet added. The Austrian army is interested in that modern system of training. Military cooperation has already been established between Croatia and Austria, and the talks on Friday focused on further segments of cooperation, along with the existing training and education of Croatian soldiers in Austria. A segment of cooperation pertains to the Partnership for Peace programme, and the Austrian experience will be valuable for Croatia for a better preparation for Croatia's accession into the programme. The two sides also discussed the security architecture of Europe, especially in its south regions, and concluded that the two countries had mutual interests in stability and security, Domazet said. He added that he had relayed to the Austrian army chief-of-staff an invitation to visit the Croatian armed forces. The two sides agreed on the establishment of cooperation between the Austrian National Defence School and the Croatian Army Military School, Domazet told reporters. (hina) lml