Croatian President Stjepan Mesić received Kris Peeters, the Minister-President of Flanders.
President Mesić expressed satisfaction with cooperation between Flanders and Croatia, stressing however, that there was still room for better cooperation, particularly on the economic front.
Belgian tourists recognised Croatia as an attractive tourist destination, President Mesić pointed out, expressing hope entrepreneurs would also recognise investment possibilities in Croatia which is about to receive an invitation to join NATO and is implementing reforms and adopting standards required for joining the EU. All of this guarantees investment security, President Mesić emphasized.
The Minister-President of Flanders, Peeters, also expressed satisfaction with the level of cooperation, adding that his government last year allocated EUR 700,000 for the promotion of cooperation in the private sector. Congratulating Croatia on progress in negotiations with the European Union, Peeters expressed conviction Croatia would join the bloc in 2009 or 2010 at the latest.