ISRAEL WANTS TO SIGN CULTURAL AGREEMENT WITH CROATIA

( Editorial: --> 0272 ) ZAGREB, March 17 (Hina) - Croatian Culture Minister Bozo Biskupic and the Israeli Foreign Ministry's director for East Europe Sector, Zvi Rav-Ner, met for talks in Zagreb Tuesday. They discussed cultural cooperation between Croatia and Israel and the possibility for its expansion. Rav-Ner, the first Israeli diplomat to visit Croatia following the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, said he believed that culture brought two peoples closer, adding that was why he supported the exchange of artists, musicians and ensembles. In the last three years Croatia has been successfully cooperating with Israel, presenting Croatian artists and ensembles in that country, said Biskupic adding that the Culture Ministry supported the Jewish community's programs in Croatia. The Croatian minister also talked about the Israeli Philharmonic with Zubin Mehta participating in Dubrovnik's Summer Festival this year, as well as the visit to Israel by the Zagreb Quartet and the Folkloric Ensemble Ivan Ivancan. Minister Biskupic received with satisfaction the announcement that Israel is interested in signing a cultural cooperation agreement with Croatia. (hina) mm mrb/rm 171559 MET mar 98