CRO DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER VISITS GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTRY

ZAGREB, Jan 19 (Hina) - Croatian Deputy Foreign Minister Ivo Sanader on Monday held talks in Bonn with the state minister at the German Foreign Ministry Guenther Verheugen. The talks focused on bilateral relations between Croatia and Germany. Sanader's visit to the German Foreign Ministry is a continuation of contacts with the members of the newly elected German government, contacts which began with Croatian Foreign Minister Granic's meeting with German counterpart Fischer at an Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe ministerial summit in Copenhagen last December. Sanader and Verheugen assessed the overall relations between Croatia and Germany as very good. A wide legal foundation has been established to further bilateral relations, they concluded, and confirmed mutual interest and endeavours to keep Germany one of Croatia's chief foreign trade partners. Verheugen pointed to the increased interest of German investors for infrastructure building in Croatia. Sanader said integration with Euro-Atlantic institutions remained a Croatian foreign policy priority. He pointed out Croatia believed positive steps forward might take place during Germany's presiding over the European Union, and added the Croatian government was willing to openly speak with the EU about all issues. Sanader also hoped Germany would be able to incite a more concrete evaluation of the positive moves of Croatia's policy. Speaking about the peace process in Bosnia and the situation in the wider region, Sanader said Croatia would do all to help stabilise the situation in south-eastern Europe, but pointed out Croatia could not agree to becoming hostage to events in the region. Verheugen has accepted Sanader's invitation for a return visit to Croatia. (hina) ha mm