MINISTER GRANIC RECEIVES NAA DELEGATION

( Editorial: --> 8312 ) ZAGREB, March 9 (Hina) - Euro-Atlantic and Central-European integrations were Croatia's strategic priorities, but Croatia was also interested in developing good relations with all neighbouring countries, Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic told representatives of the North Atlantic Assembly's civil affairs committee, at a meeting in Zagreb on Monday. Granic informed his guests of the successful completion of the UNTAES mission in the Croatian Danube River region, emphasising the Croatian Government's efforts to ensure the two-way return of all refugees and displaced people and to rebuild their homes, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. As an active factor in the peace process in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia would continue to contribute to the strengthening of the Dayton-based Bosnia-Herzegovina, Granic said. Croatia's readiness to develop good relations with all the neighbouring countries was confirmed by the process of normalisation of relations with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and by Croatia's readiness to resolve all pending issues with the Serbian entity in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The delegation, led by Wim van Eekelen, also met President Tudjman's foreign policy advisor, Ambassador Neven Madey. Ambassador Madey informed his guests of the progress of the normalisation of relations with Yugoslavia, particularly the signing of economic and other agreements vital for the normal cooperation between the two countries. He also discussed the security problems relating to Croatia's southernmost peninsula, Prevlaka, the President's Office said in a statement. Madej outlined the strategic elements of Croatia's policy with regard to the European Union and NATO, and the measures taken by the Croatian Government to initiate negotiations on rapprochement with these two Euro-Atlantic organisations. (hina) mm as/mrb 091844 MET mar 98