Mimica: Croatia ready to help Kosovo

PRISTINA, Sept 17 (Hina) - Croatian Deputy Prime Minister Neven Mimica visited Pristina on Monday at the invitation of the Kosovo government and met with his host, Deputy Prime Minister Hajredin Kuqi, for talks on on cooperation between the two countries.

Mimica welcomed the termination of the supervised independence of Kosovo, saying that it showed that Kosovo had achieved success in building a modern state.

"Kosovo must take quick steps towards EU integration," Mimica told a press conference and stressed that Croatia, as a future member of the EU, was ready to help Kosovo in the EU integration process as well as in its overall development.

Kuqi said that they had also discussed future cooperation between the two countries, forthcoming talks between Pristina and Belgrade, the integration of northern Kosovo, and the need to implement all agreements reached with Serbia. He added that the cooperation between Kosovo and Croatia should serve as a good example of regional cooperation.

Mimica was also scheduled to meet with President Atifete Jahjaga, Assembly Chairman Jakup Krasniqi and Prime Minister Hashim Thaci.