RUSSIA OPENED FOR WIDEST COOPERATION WITH CROATIA -- AMBASSADOR

ZAGREB, April 19 (Hina) - Russia is open for the widest cooperation with Croatia, Russian Ambassador to Croatia, Eduard Leonidovich Kuzmin said at a lecture "Russia in the Light of Upcoming Changes". Kuzmin held a lecture at the fourth Diplomatic Forum of the International Relations Office, focusing on the Russian Federation, Russian-Croatian relations and Russia's foreign policy. A session of the Russian-Croatian Inter-Government Commission for Trade, Economic, scientific and Technical Cooperation held a session in Zagreb two days ago with the aim of developing economic cooperation, Kuzmin said. Asked to comment on the White Paper about alleged omissions in the business of Croatia's oil company INA, Kuzmin said he was informed with the content of the White Paper, adding after its publishing there had been a period of anti-Russian campaign in the Croatian media. However, he stressed, the paper will not harm relations between the two countries. "Everything pertaining to the Russian-Jewish mafia, mentioned in the White Paper, is a fabrication of the tabloids," Kuzmin said. He added this was Croatia's and Russia's joint conclusion. Speaking about cooperation in culture, Kuzmin announced the "Days of Culture of the Russian Federation" would take place in Croatia next year, while a similar manifestation would be held in Russia the following year. He also announced the signing of a three-year cultural cooperation programme. "In short, we are now most positively and most optimistically regarding cooperation with Croatia," Kuzmin said at the end of his lecture about relations between the Russian Federation and Croatia. (hina) lml jn