CROATIA AND E.U. DISCUSS RELATIONS - STATEMENT

ZAGREB, Nov 26 (Hina) - Croatia and the European Commission on Tuesday discussed "political and economic aspects of a future bilateral agreement and the further development of relations between Croatia and its neighbours in the post-Dayton process," the Croatian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. The Croatian delegation was headed by Assistant Foreign Minister Neven Madey while the European Commission delegation was led by the head of the department for other European countries, Hansjorg Kretschmer. The talks were held at the Foreign Ministry in Zagreb and were described in the statement as "a continuation of a dialogue between Croatia and the European Union which was renewed in Paris on November 15." The talks were conducted in "a constructive atmosphere" and were evaluated by both sides as "an important step in preparations for the institutionalization of cooperation between the Republic of Croatia and the European Union." They were also "a prerequisite for a pending decision by the EU Council of Ministers on approving a European Commission mandate to start negotiations with the Republic of Croatia on a cooperation agreement." According to the views exchanged today, it was expected that new developments concerning future negotiations on a bilateral agreement would be dealt with in line with the achievements of bilateral talks conducted in 1995. "The exchange of views at this meeting has enabled a better understanding of Croatia's strategic interests in relations with the EU," the statement said. During the meeting Kretschmer was received by Foreign Minister Mate Granic. The Croatian delegation included the deputy chief of mission to the EU, Mladen Andrlic, Assistant Agriculture Minister Vlado Bicanic, Assistant Economy Minister Zeljko Lalic and Assistant Transport and Communications Minister Dragutin Subat. (hina) vm jn 261921 MET nov 96