JOHANNESBURG: CROATIAN PRESIDENT, ISRAELI FOREIGN MINISTER MEET

JOHANNESBURG, Sept 4 (Hina) - Croatian President Stjepan Mesic, who is participating the U.N. world summit on sustainable development in Johannesburg, on Wednesday met Israeli foreign minister Shimon Peres. #L# The two officials discussed bilateral relations. Mesic and Peres said that the Croatia-Israel relations were on an ascending line after Mesic's visit to Israel last year. Minister Peres expressed wish of the Israeli government to intensify bilateral cooperation and investments in Croatia. The Israeli foreign minister also addressed the current situation in the Near East. According to him, the situation on the West Coast and Israel over the past two weeks has been somewhat calmer. The two officials also discussed a global strategy in combating terrorism. President Mesic reiterated the invitation to Peres to visit Croatia. Minister Peres said he was looking forward to his visit to Croatia, which will take place after the visit of Israeli President Moshe Katzav. Later on Wednesday, the last day of the summit, Mesic is expected to hold meeting with Albanian Premier Fatos Nano and attend the final part of the summit at which official documents will be adopted. (hina) it