Cooperation within the framework of CEFTA is very important, considering the common European future and the fact that the initiative is supported by the European Commission and the Stability Pact for Southeast Europe, Tarlev said.
"We want the CEFTA enlargement to take place in the first half of this year and that is what I have agreed with the Romanian and Bulgarian prime ministers," the Croatian PM said. "This was also supported by Stability Pact Coordinator Erhard Busek," Sanader said, adding that he had also informed European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso of the initiative. "I expect a CEFTA meeting to take place in Bucharest in spring and discuss concrete enlargement to include Moldova, Albania, Serbia and Montenegro, Macedonia and Bosnia," said Sanader who is on a two-day official visit to Moldova.
Moldova is one of the poorest European countries and is still to carry out economic reforms, but some progress has been made over the past years. Joining CEFTA would mean a lot to Moldova because it would give the country a chance to cooperate with more developed Southeast European countries, Tarlev said.
He said Croatia set a good example to all countries of the region when it came to European integration processes, adding that this was why it was important to exchange experience with Croatia. Moldova has great potential and with Croatia's support it can achieve good results, he stressed.
Sanader said his country would be happy to share its experience with Moldova, adding that Croatia's chief negotiator Vladimir Drobnjak came to Chisinau for this purpose.
Moldova and Croatia do not have outstanding political issues, but economic cooperation can be improved.
Currently the two countries' trade is low and we are not satisfied, Sanader said, adding that a group of Croatian businessmen visiting Moldova would take part in a Moldova-Croatia economic forum on Friday.
Moldova wants to intensify tourist cooperation with Croatia. During Sanader's visit to Chisinau, the two countries signed an agreement on cooperation in fighting organised crime, drug smuggling and terrorism. Also signed was an agreement on cooperation in industry.
On Friday, Sanader is scheduled to hold talks with Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin and Parliament Speaker Marian Lupu.