GRANIT: CRO-ISRAELI RELATIONS SHOULD BE TAKEN TO HIGHER LEVEL

ZAGREB, May 3 (Hina) - There are no open issues between Croatia and Israel, and relations between the two countries should be taken to a higher level, newly appointed Israeli Ambassador to Croatia David Granit told Hina in a telephone interview Thursday. There are no open issues between Croatia and Israel, which used to encumber the two countries' relations, however, Croatia, like some other European countries, still needs to deal with its past, namely it needs to teach young generations about past", Granit said. Granit is Israel's Ambassador accredited to Croatia, Slovenia and Slovakia, while his predecessor Nathan Meron was also accredited to Austria, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and NATO. The headquarters of the Israeli Ambassador to Croatia, Slovenia, Slovakia will for now be in Jerusalem. Granit, however, stressed he would visit Croatia whenever necessary. The Israeli Ambassador said Israel wished to accelerate relations between the two countries and take them to a higher level. He added he would encourage the strengthening of the two countries' relations. Croatia and Israel have many things incoming, considering that the two "new" countries were in similar situations, including wars, the ambassador said, adding Israel could help Croatia with its experience. Speaking about the visit of Croatian President Stipe Mesic to Israel, scheduled for October 30, Granit expressed belief the visit would mark a new takeoff in relations between the two countries. Croatia and Israel established diplomatic relations in 1997, while the first Israeli ambassador was accredited in Croatia in 1998. The two countries have so far signed a series of bilateral agreements, of which the last agreement on the discontinuation of the visa regime should come into force this autumn, after the ratification. Commenting on the current situation in Israel, Granit said it was difficult, expressing hope peace would be established. (hina) it