CROATIAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER CONTINUES VISIT TO ISRAEL

ZAGREB. April 19 (Hina) - Croatian Deputy Foreign Minister Ivo Sanader, who is visiting Israel, on Monday held talks with the Presidential Chief-of-Staff, Aryeh Shumer, and Foreign Minister Ariel Sharon. Shumer and Sanader expressed satisfaction with the fact that preparations have been completed for the visit of Croatian President Franjo Tudjman to Israel, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement Monday. Sanader and Sharon applauded the level of relations between the two countries, realised in under two years. Sanader relayed Foreign Minister Mate Granic's invitation to Minister Sharon to visit Croatia, which was gladly accepted, the Ministry said in the statement. Sharon was especially interested in the situation in Croatia and its relations with neighbouring countries, expressing understanding and full support to Croatia and the efforts it is exerting in the overall stability in the region. The talks also focused on the crisis in Kosovo. Sharon stressed Israel's doors were always open for Croatia and that his country was ready for an all-sided development of relations with Croatia, based on mutual understanding and respect of the two countries. The two also tackled the possibility of introducing free trade between the two countries. Another subject discussed was also the annulment of visas between the two countries, which would create additional conditions for a more intense economic and tourism cooperation, the Ministry said. (hina) lml