C.E.I. BACKS CROATIA'S BID TO ESTABLISH COOPERATION WITH E.U.

GRAZ, Nov 9 (Hina) - Central European Initiative (CEI) member states on Saturday backed Croatia's efforts to establish bilateral cooperation with the European Union, including the signing of a cooperation agreement. In a final document after a two-day meeting in the Austrian town of Graz, CEI members also welcomed Croatia's admission to the Council of Europe. Saturday's plenary session emphasized the importance of the economic development and reconstruction of Bosnia-Herzegovina for the successful implementation of the Dayton peace agreement. The prime ministers and foreign ministers of CEI member states called for stronger cooperation with the European Union, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Council of Europe and the UN Economic Commission. The plenary session was chaired by Chancellor Frantz Vranitzky of Austria. Next year the presidency of this intergovernmental regional association will be held by Bosnia-Herzegovina, while Croatia will take over the year after that. The Croatian delegation was headed by Prime Minister Zlatko Matesa and Foreign Minister Mate Granic. (hina) vm jn 091441 MET nov 96