CROATIAN PRIME MINISTER MEETS ALBANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER

ZAGREB, April 11 (Hina) - Croatian Prime Minister Nikica Valentic and the visiting Albanian Foreign Minister, Alfred Serreqi, met in Zagreb today and agreed that Croatia and Albania had good political relations but still had to work on the promotion of economic cooperation. Valentic said that there were no open problems between the two countries, and added that their economic cooperation should be raised to the level of very good political relations. Serreqi said that there were no obstacles to good economic cooperation as legal foundations for it had already been laid. Valentic stressed the importance of restoring a ferry line between the ports of Rijeka and Durres, and an air service between Zagreb and Tirana. He also called for the speedier resolution of the problem of bank guarantees. Serreqi praised Croatia for its attitude towards its Albanian minority, hoping that this would contribute to good bilateral relations. Valentic noted that the Albanian minority contributed to the development of the Croatian economy. He said that defence cooperation had good prospects and that relevant Croatian ministries would further intensify relations in this area. Serreqi emphasized Albabania's potentials in tourism, energy and agriculture, and said that scientific cooperation between the two countries could be deepened. He mentioned the possibility of Albanian experts coming to Croatia for specialization. At the end of the meeting Valentic accepted with pleasure Serreqi's invitation to visit Tirana. (hina) vm 111454 MET apr 95