KINKEL & VEDRINE ARRIVE IN ZAGREB IN THE AFTERNOON

( Editorial: --> 0466 ) ZAGREB, Mar 18 (Hina) - Foreign Ministers of Germany and France Klaus Kinkel and Hubert Vedrine will arrive in Zagreb Wednesday afternoon for a one-day official visit to discuss the two-way return of refugees and displaced persons with Croatian leaders. Kinkel and Vedrine are to meet with Croatian President Franjo Tudjman and Foreign Minister Mate Granic. The two guests will also tackle the implementation of the Dayton peace agreements, and the democratisation and freedom of the media. According to a spokesman for the Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Zeljko Trkanjec, Croatia expects that the two foreign ministers will assess positively the progress the Croatian government has recently made and the steps it has taken in relation to stepping up the two-way return. Croatia expects a positive assessment will also be given to the announced rescinding of a law on flat leasing and a law on temporary management of specific property which, Trkanjec told Hina, has been welcomed by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and expects appreciation for accelerated work on the reconstruction. The Foreign Ministry spokesman hoped today's meeting and the government steps mentioned would positively influence a report on the situation in Croatia, presently being drafted by the European Union, the opening of the PHARE programme and possibly the start of negotiations on cooperation with the EU. Kinkel and Vedrine should also meet with Croat and Serb representatives from the Danube river region. A meeting with representatives of the Croatian opposition has also been announced as possible. On Thursday, the two foreign ministers will fly to Belgrade. (hina) ha mm 181057 MET mar 98