CROATIAN DEFENCE MINISTER RECEIVES INCOMING RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR

ZAGREB, April 27 (Hina) - The relations between Croatia and the Russian Federation and the situation in the region were the topics of the first talks between Croatian Defence Minister Pavao Miljavac and the incoming Russian Ambassador to Croatia Eduard Kuzmin, in Zagreb on Tuesday. This was a courtesy visit of an ambassador who has recently come in Croatia, but this was also a chance to discuss prospects of our relations and exchange opinions on issues of the mutual interest, the recently accredited Ambassador Kuzmin said after the talks. He voiced satisfaction with the meeting. We considered mostly the bilateral relations, the Croatian minister said adding that bilateral contacts should be intensified. Croatia is interested in a part of the military equipment made in the Russian Federation, Miljavac said adding that the Croatian Army still has 80 percent of equipment produced in the East. Miljavac said he and the Russian ambassador had also spoken about the crisis in Yugoslavia and possibilities of settling this problem. We are trying to be as restrained as possible relating to the crisis which is taking place in our neighbourhood and we regard Russia as a country which can play an important role, the Croatian minister said. Ambassador Kuzmin was accompanied by the former Russian military attach? in Croatia, Brigadier Alexander Jerohin, and his successor Brigadier Valentin Chernobrovkin. (hina) jn ms