CROATIA AND ITALY HOPE FOR PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT OF KOSOVO CRISIS

ROME, May 8 (Hina) - Croatia and Italy hope that the Kosovo crisis will be solved in a peaceful way and in line with the principle outlined at a recent Bonn meeting of the foreign ministers of the seven most developed industrial countries and Russia. This was stated at talks between the under-secretaries of the Croatian and Italian foreign ministries, Ivo Sanader and Umberto Ranieri respectfully, held in Rome on Saturday. Today's talks were part of regular consultations between the two countries. They focused on the Kosovo crisis and ways to solve it. Italy commended Croatia's constructive role in the efforts aimed at solving the crisis. Sanader and Ranieri also discussed a pact on stabilisation, with Italy supporting Croatia's proposal that all interested countries from south-east Europe also participate in drawing up the document. Italy welcomes Croatia's proposal that the problem of succession to the former Yugoslavia be solved now and in line with principles as set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Ranieri expressed Italy's support for Croatia's proposal that representatives of central and south-east European countries meet at a conference in Zagreb on May 20. The two officials stressed the good relations between the two countries and announced the signing of new agreements from the areas of economy and legislation. (hina) rml