ZAGREB, April 16 (Hina) - Croatia and Ukraine signed an agreement on navigation on internal waterways on Friday. The agreement, aimed at promoting economic relations between the two countries, was signed in Zagreb by Croatian Foreign
Minister Miomir Zuzul and his Ukrainian counterpart Kostyantyn Hryshchenko.
ZAGREB, April 16 (Hina) - Croatia and Ukraine signed an agreement on
navigation on internal waterways on Friday. The agreement, aimed at
promoting economic relations between the two countries, was signed in
Zagreb by Croatian Foreign Minister Miomir Zuzul and his Ukrainian
counterpart Kostyantyn Hryshchenko.#L#
Before the signing ceremony, the two ministers discussed bilateral
relations, Euro-Atlantic integration processes, the situation in the
world and the global fight against terrorism.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Zuzul recalled that Ukraine
and Croatia had started building friendly relations since they became
independent in the early 1990s. "We have concluded today that there is
every reason to further strengthen our relations," he said.
Zuzul informed his guest of the efforts Croatia was making to join the
European Union and NATO and about its expectations in that regard.
As for the struggle against terrorism, the two ministers agreed that
without a firm and united position of the international community it
would be very hard to withstand "this greatest evil of the 21st
century".
Hryshchenko said that the two countries shared the same values --
European security and efforts to achieve European standards. He added
that his country also attached importance to the situation in
Southeast Europe, particularly in Kosovo where it has 300 soldiers
serving with the UN peacekeeping force.
The two ministers also discussed the Druzba Adria project, which
envisages the transport of Russian oil via Ukraine and other countries
to the northern Croatian Adriatic port of Omisalj, saying that the
project was in the interests of both Ukraine and Croatia, as well as
other countries included in it.
Zuzul said that his government was taking a very serious approach to
the project, but that it had to look into certain environmental issues
relating to it.
"These issues mainly concern the safety and protection of the Adriatic
Sea," he said, adding that "the Croatian government will take relevant
decisions soon, taking into account possible environmental risks and
all economic expectations from the project."
Hryshchenko said that Ukraine also considered the project very
important.
The two ministers agreed that liberalisation of the visa regime was in
the interests of their countries, and said that talks on the issue,
which took place in Kiev on April 5, would continue.
Later in the day, the Ukrainian foreign minister was scheduled to meet
Croatian President Stjepan Mesic, Prime Minister Ivo Sanader and
Parliament Vice-President Luka Bebic.
(Hina) vm