MESIC ENDS VISIT TO IRAN

TEHRAN, June 21 (Hina) - Croatian President Stipe Mesic on Thursday ended a three-day trip to Iran at the invitation of Iranian counterpart Mohamad Hatami. During the visit, Mesic also met other senior Iranian officials with whom he discussed possibilities of advancing bilateral cooperation, especially in the economy.#L# Mesic and Hatami met on three occasions over Tuesday and Wednesday. They confirmed political relations were very good, as well as the need to intensify the currently underdeveloped economic ties. Explaining how it was possible to advance economic relations in an address at the Institute for Political and International Relations in Tehran, Mesic reminded Croatia accounted for 75 percent of the $700 million that were made in annual trade between Iran and the former Yugoslav federation. Last year, however, Croatian-Iranian trade amounted to less than $3 million. Mesic was accompanied by representatives of the Chamber of Commerce and a dozen domestic companies, who began talks on renewing or establishing ties with Iranian businessmen. It is expected the talks will pave the way for concrete business agreements. Mesic was the first head of state to visit Iran after a June 8 election which saw Hatami win 77 percent of the vote and a second four-year term in office. Hatami's public favour relies on promises of social, political, and economic reforms which should relax the very strict norms the Islamic creed imposes on everyday life, expand democracy and improve the standard of living for most people. The Tehran press, among else, ran a statement for Mesic from Ayatollah Khamnei on account of the Croats' alleged belief that they are of Iranian origin. "Such positive feelings among Croats will further expand political, economic and cultural relations between the two countries," Iran's supreme spiritual leader was quoted as saying. (hina) ha sb