ITALY SUPPORTS CROATIA'S EFFORT TO JOIN EURO-ATLANTIC INTEGRATIONS

( Editorial: --> 8646 ) ROME, Mar 11 (Hina) - Italy supports Croatia's endeavours to become part of Euro-Atlantic integrations, Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs under-secretary Piero Fassino and Croatian Deputy Foreign Minister Ivo Sanader said during talks in Rome Tuesday. A joint statement issued after the talks said Sanader confirmed Croatia's endeavours to be integrated in Euro-Atlantic institutions, while Fassino confirmed Italy's support in the process. The talks focused on the Kosovo crisis, the application of the Dayton peace agreements, the return of refugees, and bilateral relations. The two parties concluded an agreement on friendship and cooperation between the two countries would be signed during Croatian President Franjo Tudjman's visit to Italy scheduled for autumn. On his visit, Tudjman will visit the Italian capital and Milan where he is expected to deliver a statue of Rudjer Boskovic by Ivan Mestrovic to the city of Milan, where Croatian scientist Boskovic lived. Sanader and Fassino pointed out a mutual interest in the development of the Central European Initiative, this year chaired by Croatia. Fassino said Italy would support Croatia in this delicate task, and suggested a meeting between the European Union Troika and the CEI Troika which would also be joined by Austria and Italy. Sanader acquainted the Italian side with Croatian Government measures aimed at building confidence in the Danube river region in the east of the country, and the return of refugees. The deputy foreign minister also pointed out Croatia's endeavour to return refugees to Bosnia-Herzegovina, and its full support to the implementation of the Dayton agreements. Both parties expressed concern over the situation in Kosovo. Fassino said the ratification of an agreement on the rights of minorities, which is this week being debated at the Senate, was nearing completion. Sanader invited his Italian colleague to visit Croatia in order to continue dialogue which is periodically carried out on the foreign ministry level. (hina) ha jn 111046 MET mar 98