Austria's support to Croatia, which was evident during the opening of the country's EU membership talks, is the result of years of bilateral cooperation, especially in the economy sector, Bartenstein said after the meeting.
Croatia's economy is more developed than the economies of countries which will join the EU in 2007, which is what we want for Croatia, Bartenstein said.
During the Austrian presidency of the EU in the first half of 2006, several meetings will be held in Southeast Europe and one of the topics discussed at those meetings will be Croatia's EU entry talks, the Austrian minister said.
Austria is interested in continuing investments in Croatia, especially in tourism, he added.
Thanking Bartenstein for his government's support to Croatia's bid to join the EU, Polancec said the meeting focused on the promotion of bilateral cooperation and investments in tourism, infrastructure, and power industry, in the expansion of the gas network, and in agriculture.