Croatian President Stipe Mesic is in Bulgaria for two days of talks on trade, cooperation, and preparations to join the European Union.
The Croatian news agency Hina says Mr. Mesic and Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov signed agreements on medical insurance and cultural exchanges. The agency says the two presidents agreed that Bulgaria would advise and help Croatia prepare for eventual integration into the European Union.
Croatia hopes to gain EU membership in 2007, when Bulgaria is expected to join the grouping.