CRO DELEGATION HOLDS TALKS WITH MEMBERS OF BUNDESTAG DEFENSE COMMITTEE

COMMITTEE $ BONN, Oct 9 (Hina) - A Croatian parliamentary delegation headed by speaker Vlatko Pavletic on Thursday attended a plenary session of the German federal parliament. The Croatian delegation is on a five-day visit to Germany at the invitation of the Bundestag president. After the session, the Croatian delegation held talks with members of the Bundestag's defense committee, and a meeting with the German parliament's state secretary, Bernd Wilz, which focused on the implementation of the Dayton and Washington Peace Agreements, compliance with Croatia's commitments, and the current economic situation in Croatia. The Germans pointed out their friendly relations with Croatia, as well as the necessity for Croatia to comply with its commitments and thus help Germany which is willing to support Croatia's interests in political and economic European integrations. It was concluded that military cooperation should be strengthened. The education of Croatian officers at German military academies was also discussed. Willingness of German companies to become more involved in the reconstruction of Croatia was pointed out during talks with parliamentary state secretary Wilz. The German representatives also voiced their support for the cancellation of assistance restriction to Croatia in international financial institutions. (hina) ha jn 091709 MET oct 97