CROATIA'S FOREIGN MINISTER ARRIVES IN NEW YORK FOR U.N. SUMMIT

NEW YORK, Sept 11 (Hina) - Croatia's Foreign Minister Tonino Picula arrived in New York in the evening hours of Sunday local time, where starting Tuesday he will attend the United Nations General Assembly Millennium Summit. Picula, who leads a Croatian delegation, will give a 30-minute speech at the summit on Wednesday to present Croatia's aims and achievements in foreign policy. He will also comment on the work of the U.N. During its five-day stay in New York, the Croatian delegation will hold bilateral talks with heads of governments or foreign ministers of France, Great Britain, Belgium, Vietnam, Egypt, Libya, Kenya, Mexico, Cuba, and New Zealand. Also scheduled is a working breakfast with U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright which, apart from Croatia's delegation, will be attended by delegations of countries in the region. Delegations of Croatia, Macedonia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Slovenia, and EU representatives will meet to consider the issue of succession to the former Yugoslavia. The Croatian delegation will attend a meeting of political directors of Non-Aligned countries as an observer. Picula and other Croatian representatives will meet EU officials to discuss the process of stabilisation and association. The Croatian minister will take part in sessions of the Central European Initiative and the South Eastern European Cooperation Process, and will also hold meetings with representatives of non- governmental organisations. (hina) ha/ms