ZAGREB, March 1 (Hina) - Croatia could ratify a Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the European Union by the end of 2001, Madrid is ready to help Zagreb in the process of admission to the EU and Spanish companies are
interested in investing in Croatia, Croatia's and Spain's foreign ministers Tonino Picula and Josep Pique said in Madrid on Thursday. According to a statement from the Croatian Foreign Ministry, Picula, who met his counterpart at the beginning of his two-day official visit to Spain, informed Pique about the social and political situation in Croatia and the situation in the region. Pique recalled that Spain would take over presidency of the EU by the end of this year and that within this political framework it would strongly support Croatia on its path toward full EU membership. Picula conveyed Croatia's interest in Spain, the sixth country in the world according to foreign investments, intensifying investments in Croatia as soon as possible. The two officials agreed that Croatia was a factor of stability in the region. Pique expressed support for the path of democracy Croatia took after the elections on January 3, 2000.
ZAGREB, March 1 (Hina) - Croatia could ratify a Stabilisation and
Association Agreement with the European Union by the end of 2001,
Madrid is ready to help Zagreb in the process of admission to the EU
and Spanish companies are interested in investing in Croatia,
Croatia's and Spain's foreign ministers Tonino Picula and Josep
Pique said in Madrid on Thursday.
According to a statement from the Croatian Foreign Ministry,
Picula, who met his counterpart at the beginning of his two-day
official visit to Spain, informed Pique about the social and
political situation in Croatia and the situation in the region.
Pique recalled that Spain would take over presidency of the EU by
the end of this year and that within this political framework it
would strongly support Croatia on its path toward full EU
membership.
Picula conveyed Croatia's interest in Spain, the sixth country in
the world according to foreign investments, intensifying
investments in Croatia as soon as possible.
The two officials agreed that Croatia was a factor of stability in
the region.
Pique expressed support for the path of democracy Croatia took
after the elections on January 3, 2000.
There are no open political questions between the two countries,
said Pique, adding he saw no problems in Croatia-EU relations
either.
The Spanish minister was particularly interested in investment
possibilities in Croatia and the creation of legal infrastructure
as a guarantee for foreign investments. The areas of special
interest for Spain are Croatia's tourism and road infrastructure,
he said.
(hina) rml