ZAGREB, Jan 16 (Hina) - The Prime Ministers of Croatia and Italy, Zlatko Matesa and Romano Prodi, on Thursday evaluated the political relations between the two countries as exceptionally good, stressing the importance of developing
economic cooperation.
ZAGREB, Jan 16 (Hina) - The Prime Ministers of Croatia and Italy,
Zlatko Matesa and Romano Prodi, on Thursday evaluated the political
relations between the two countries as exceptionally good,
stressing the importance of developing economic cooperation. #L#
Following one and a half hours' talks at the Banski Dvori
Palace in Zagreb's Upper Town, the two prime ministers told
reporters that the meeting dealt mostly with the development of
economic ties between the two countries, in the fields of energy
production, fishing, civil engineering and banking.
According to Prime Minister Matesa, discussed was the
development of an "informal Adriatic initiative" which would
facilitate cooperation. He emphasised the importance of an earlier
agreement on the protection of minorities between Italy and
Croatia.
Prime Minister Prodi emphasised Italy's great interest in
Croatia's prompt integration into European associations.
"Italy is closely following Croatia's increasingly closer ties
with the European Union and NATO," Prodi said.
The Italian Prime Minister laid a wreath at the Homeland
Altar.
The two prime ministers are to hold talks with Italian and
Croatian businesspeople this afternoon. The Italian Prime Minister
is scheduled to meet representatives of the Italian minority and to
visit the Cardinal Archbishop of Zagreb, Franjo Kuharic. Minister
Prodi is to end his one-day official visit to Zagreb with a visit
to President Franjo Tudjman.
(hina) as
161416 MET jan 97