CROATIAN PARLIAMENT DELEGATION MEETS BULGARIAN PRESIDENT ( Editorial: --> 0533 )

( Editorial: --> 0533 ) SOFIA, 13 Nov (Hina) - A multiparty Croatian Parliament delegation, led by Parliament President Vlatko Pavletic, was received by the Bulgarian President Petar Stoyanov on Thursday. The Croatian delegation also met with Bulgaria's Premier Ivan Kostov. After the talks, Pavletic and the Bulgarian Parliament Speaker Jordan Sokolov held a press conference. The talks with the Bulgarian President focused on bilateral relations and cooperation and mutual support between the two countries on their way to the European Union and other European associations, Pavletic said, adding he was glad to receive President Stoyanov's invitation for Croatian President Franjo Tudjman to visit Bulgaria. Speaking about his meeting with Bulgaria's Premier Ivan Kostov, Pavletic stressed the mutual view that the two countries should sign a free trade agreement as soon as possible, which is a precondition for more effective economic cooperation. The visit of the Croatian delegation has made space for future meetings and talks between representatives of executive authorities and business people, Pavletic said, adding those talks could result in the signing of the remaining agreements from areas of economy, culture and science. There are many reasons why the two countries should support each other on their way to the European Union and Euro-Atlantic associations. Speaking about the visit of the Croatian delegation, the Bulgarian Parliament Speaker Jordan Sokolov stressed the harmonised views concerning all important issues between the two states and their aims of which the most important is the admission into European associations. Both countries are in transition, Sokolov said, stressing Croatia's important economic success. Croatia's Pavletic invited Sokolov to visit Croatia with a Bulgarian Parliament delegation. (hina) rm 131435 MET nov 97