MPS CONFIRM FRIENDLY CROATIAN-HUNGARIAN RELATIONS

ZAGREB, March 26 (Hina) - A meeting between Croatian and Hungarian parliamentary delegations confirmed friendly relations between the two countries, and Hungary announced support to Croatia in its bid to join EuroAtlantic integration processes, Presidents of Croatian and Hungarian Parliaments Vlatko Pavletic and Zoltan Gal respectively, said on Wednesday after their talks in Zagreb. Gal and the Hungarian parliamentary delegation arrived in Zagreb yesterday on a two-day visit to Croatia, at an invitation of Pavletic. On Wednesday, the two parliamentary delegations discussed ties between the two countries, joint efforts for admission to European institutions and problems of countries in transition. "We have absolutely agreed on a series of issues," Pavletic said to reporters after the talks. Gal pointed to importance of a motorway that should be built from Trieste via Croatia to Budapest, the development of the port of Rijeka. "There is political will that our two countries in central Europe act to the benefit of each other," Gal added. He voiced satisfaction with Croatian plans for the return of minority Hungarians to the Croatian Danubian area and with protection of their minority rights. After the official talks between the two delegations, Gal met members of the Croatian-Hungarian parliamentary group of friendship. (hina) jn mš 261549 MET mar 97