CROATIA AND BULGARIA SIGN MILITARY COOPERATION AGREEMENT

ZAGREB, June 18 (Hina) - The defence ministers of Croatia and Bulgaria, Gojko Susak and Dimiter Pavlov, signed a military cooperation agreement in Zagreb on Tuesday. Susak told reporters after the signing ceremony that he was pleased that the agreement was signed because it created conditions for close military cooperation between Croatia and Bulgaria, particularly after the lifting of an embargo on arms import. Susak said that he and Pavlov discussed concrete forms of cooperation, noting that it was no secret that Croatia was interested in buying armour-piercing missiles "Fagot" and possibly in their production in cooperation with Bulgaria. Pavlov proposed the training of Croatian officers at Bulgarian military academies, which would be considered seriously, Susak said. Pavlov, currently on a two-day visit to Zagreb, said that by signing the agreement Croatia and Bulgaria and their respective defence ministries found their interest, adding that he hoped that the agreement would contribute to security in southeastern Europe. (hina) vm jn 181523 MET jun 96