PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION MEETS CROATS IN SLOVAKIA

( Editorial: --> 8876 ) BRATISLAVA, July 20 (Hina) - A Croatian parliamentary delegation visiting Slovakia on Monday visited Devinska Nova Ves, one of four places in Slovakia populated by the Croatian minority. Devinska Nova Ves is a suburb of Bratislava. Four-hundred-and- fifty years after the first Croats arrived here, the suburb has about 1,000 members of the Croatian national minority who cultivate the Croatian language and customs. The Croatian delegation, headed by parliament president Vlatko Pavletic, was received by Devinska Nova Ves Mayor Vladimir Mraz and representatives of the minority, including Juraj Cvecko, president of the Croatian Cultural Alliance, and Vilim Pokorny, president of the Croatian Cultural Society. Croats have had minority status in Slovakia since 1993. Good relations with Slovaks are just another reason for good relations and cooperation between Croatia and Slovakia. About 3,000 Croats live in Slovakia, in four towns near Bratislava, Jandros, Devinska Nova Ves, Hrvatski Grob and Cunovo. (hina) ha jn 202021 MET jul 98