CROATIAN FOREIGN MINISTER GIVES INTERVIEW TO 'LE MONDE'

( Editorial: --> 0174 ) PARIS, Feb 7 (Hina) - Bilateral relations between Croatia and France and Croatia's accession into Euro-Atlantic integrations were the main focus of talks with the French Foreign Minister, Hubert Vedrine, Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic told the French newspaper "Le Monde". Commenting on talks he had held during his visit to Paris with Vedrine and the French Minister for European Issues, Pierre Moscovici, Granic said that France would, together with Germany, support Croatia's admission into European integrations. We are not perfect, but we had to pass a double transition: the exit from Communism and transition from war to peace, Granic said. We know that Europe will pay special attention on two things: the freedom of the media and the return of refugees, Granic said, adding that he held that in both fields progress had been achieved. The situation in which Croats in central Bosnia have found themselves is concerning, Granic said, adding that the exodus of Croats from central Bosnia-Herzegovina would mean the downfall of the Croat-Moslem federation, and of the Dayton Agreement. Asked to comment on the situation on Kosovo (a province in Yugoslavia), Granic expressed concern, adding that he held that the UN forces should not withdraw from Macedonia. (hina) lm 071604 MET feb 98