ZAGREB, Dec 9 (Hina) - Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan on Monday held talks with a Bulgarian parliamentary delegation, headed by parliament speaker Ognyan Gerdzikov, the government's public relations office said in a
statement.
ZAGREB, Dec 9 (Hina) - Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan on Monday
held talks with a Bulgarian parliamentary delegation, headed by
parliament speaker Ognyan Gerdzikov, the government's public
relations office said in a statement. #L#
The two sides expressed satisfaction with the traditionally good
and friendly relations between the two countries and their wish to
raise bilateral trade to a higher level.
Racan announced that Croatia would officially apply for membership
in the European Union in February 2003, adding that he supported a
strong regional cooperation, however, noting that every country
had to determine its own pace of drawing closer to the EU.
The PM stressed the importance of Bulgaria's and Croatia's
contribution to stability in the region and the development of good
relations with neighbouring countries. He thanked Bulgaria for
support in the Security Council regarding the settlement of the
Prevlaka issue, reads the statement.
The two sides also discussed problems Croatia and Bulgaria have
been facing as countries in transition, particularly the justice
system, the fight against crime, corruption and grey economy, and
unemployment.
(hina) rml sb