PRIME MINISTER RACAN MEETS BRITAIN'S BLAIR, COOK

ZAGREB, Nov 24 (Hina) - Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan met on Friday with Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair and Foreign Secretary Robin Cook, the Government's public relations office said in a statement. Great Britain believes the beginning of talks on stabilisation and association between Croatia and the European Union is very important, said Cook, congratulating the Croatian government on positive changes which have been implemented successfully on all levels. The British foreign minister stressed Croatia was an excellent example of progress in the region and recalled Croatia deserved great credit for changes in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia because of its example and message that positive changes were possible. Racan said the Zagreb Summit was a significant event for Croatia showing that processes in South-East Europe were generally going in the right direction. The two premiers agreed it was important to improve the good political relations between Croatia and Great Britain with a more intense trade cooperation, the statement read. There is an interest in Great Britain in investing into Croatia's tourism sector and the British government will encourage entities from the private sector to direct their investments toward Croatia. The two sides also exchanged views on the situation in Bosnia- Herzegovina following a recent election. Prime Minister Racan reiterated his invitation for the British premier to visit Croatia, which Blair accepted. The visit should take place next year. (hina) rml