CROATIA AND ROMANIA SIGN MILITARY COOPERATION AGREEMENT ( Editorial: --> 8147 )

( Editorial: --> 8147 ) ZAGREB, Nov 4 (Hina) - Croatia and Romania signed a military cooperation agreement in Bucharest on Monday, thus ensuring a foundation for strengthening defence and security relations and long-term cooperation between the defence ministries and armed forces of the two countries, Croatian Deputy Defence Minister Lt. Gen. Kresimir Cosic said on Tuesday. "Every agreement on military cooperation further strengthens Croatia's position in the European defence and security system," Cosic told reporters in Zagreb upon return from a two-day working visit to Romania. He noted that Romania had conducted a very successful campaign in a bid to enter NATO and that it had won the United States' support to be admitted to the Western alliance in the next round. Croatian and Romanian officials stressed their interest in cooperation in training, adjustment of armed forces to Western defence institutions and economic cooperation. Cosic said that joint projects of manufacturing arms and military equipment should additionally encourage the economies of the two countries. The Croatian military delegation, including Army Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Pavao Miljavac, Assistant Defence Minister Maj. Gen. Vladimir Zagorec and the head of the Office for the Reorganisation of the Defence Ministry, Maj. Gen. Ivan Kapulica, held talks with the Romanian defence minister, army chief of staff, deputy defence minister and representatives of the parliamentary committee for the armed forces. The Croatian officials visited the Romanian Military Academy and other institutions. (hina) vm 041842 MET nov 97