ZAGREB, Jan 27 (Hina) - Croatia expects further strengthening of relations with Italy, as well as Italy's support for Croatia's accession into the association comprising of Italy, Hungary and Slovenia, Croatian Deputy Foreign Minister
Ivo Sanader said in Zagreb on Monday, prior to his leaving for Rome.
ZAGREB, Jan 27 (Hina) - Croatia expects further strengthening
of relations with Italy, as well as Italy's support for
Croatia's accession into the association comprising of Italy,
Hungary and Slovenia, Croatian Deputy Foreign Minister Ivo
Sanader said in Zagreb on Monday, prior to his leaving for
Rome. #L#
Sanader is to hold talks with Italian Deputy Foreign
Minister Pier Fassino in Rome on Tuesday.
The talks are to focus on the forthcoming visit of
Italian President Oscar Luigi Scalfaro to Croatia, on the
remaining details on the Agreement on Friendship between the
two countries, and on the issue of Croatia's accession into
the association with Italy, Hungary and Slovenia.
Sanader and Fassino are expected to sign an agreement on
social welfare between Italy and Croatia.
The Agreement on Friendship and Cooperation between
Croatia and Italy is the first such agreement for Croatia to
sign with an important west European country.
The agreement is to be signed by Italian President
Scalfaro and Croatian President Franjo Tudjman during
Scalfaro's visit to Croatia.
Scalfaro will most probably visit Croatia after elections
in the country.
Sanader said that he and Fassino would discuss the
modalities of relations between Croatia and the association.
Croatia's final goal was to enter the association as a
full member. The open question, however, was whether this
would be possible immediately, or would Croatia cooperate with
the countries of the association as an associate member or on
individual projects, Sanader said.
(hina) lm mm
271445 MET jan 97