HUNGARIAN AND CROATIAN DEFENCE MINISTERS ON BETTER COOPERATION

ZAGREB, Sep 4 (Hina) - Hungarian Defence Minister Gyorgy Keleti, who is in a friendly visit to Croatia, met today in Zagreb with Croatian Defence Minister Gojko Susak. The talks focused on relations between the two countries and the Partnership for Peace. The two ministers said after the talks they had agreed that a meeting between heads of the main headquarters of the two armies would be held soon, as well as a meeting of an expert team which would discuss joint strategic interests of Hungary and Croatia. Minister Keleti said the meeting was useful. He stressed that Hungary supported a peaceful settlement of the crisis in the region. Priority tasks of the new Hungarian Government are maintaining of good neighbouring relations, said the Hungarian Defence Minister adding that his country will make efforts towards maintaining of good relations not only at the political level, but at the military level also. Despite the fact that the Republic of Hungary respects the international community's requests on arms embargo (the export of weapons to Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina), Minister Keleti expressed hope that the embargo would be lifted and said that preparations should be made for a better military co-operation. Minister Susak mentioned that Hungary would take over the chairmanship of the CSCE and that relations with the country were of a special importance for Croatia. (hina) ks 041455 MET sep 94