CRO PRESIDENT MESIC HOLDS TALKS WITH PRESIDENT OF ITALIAN SENATE

ROMA, July 5 (Hina) - Croatian President Stipe Mesic on Wednesday, the second day of his official visit to Italy, held talks with president of the Italian Senate Nicola Mancini, after which the Croatian President visited the Museum of Vila Morgese and the St Peter Basilica. In the afternoon, the Croatian President is to hold talks with president of the House of Representatives Luciano Violante and Prime Minister Giuliano Amato. Apart from bilateral issues, the Mesic-Mancini talks tackled issues of the organisation of parliament's activities. Mancini expressed interest in constitutional changes in Croatia and the new role of Croatia's President in the system. President Mesic wanted to be informed of new changes and the announcement of changes in the Italian electoral system. Mancini pointed to a great friendship between Croatia and Italy and positively assessed changes in Croatia's authority, particularly towards the Italian minority. Mesic said the Italian minority in Croatia would have all rights in line with European standards. Also present during Mesic-Mancini talks were Croatian First Deputy Prime Minister Goran Granic and representative to the Croatian National Sabor and a member of the Italian minority in Croatia Furio Radin. Radin spoke of the position of minorities in Croatia. Mesic positively assessed the talks and Mancini pointed to the significance of such exchange of opinions with Croatian officials. (hina) it