CROATIAN FIRST DEPUTY PREMIER VISITS ORTHODOX MONASTERY OF KRKA

KISTANJE, Aug 5 (Hina) - Touring the area of Knin (central Croatia) on the National Gratitude Day, Croatia's First Deputy Prime Minister Goran Granic visited the Serb Orthodox monastery of Krka near Kistanje on Saturday afternoon. In the monastery, Granic held a closed meeting with Orthodox Bishop of Dalmatia, Episkop Fotije, and other monks. Croatia's First Deputy PM Granic and Fotije discussed the activities and the current position of the Orthodox Church in Croatia. After the talks, Granic told reporters that the Krka Monastery was not only a religious but also cultural monument in Croatia and the state would have to show care for it. In this context, Granic reminded that he was also the head of the Commission in charge of the relations with the religious communities and described Saturday's meeting as a part of the commission's plan to regulate legally the relations with the Orthodox Church. "We would like to create democratic relationships in which each religious community can act freely," the Croatian official added. The Orthodox dignitary Fotije viewed today's meeting as a sign better and more tolerant ties between the state and this Church. (hina) ms