CROATIA HAILS RUSSIA'S BALANCED APPROACH TO ZAGREB & BELGRADE

( Editorial: --> 1111 ) ZAGREB, March 20 (Hina) - Bilateral relations between Croatia and Russia are ascending and Croatia welcomes Russia's balanced approach to Zagreb and Belgrade, Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic said Friday following a meeting with his Russian counterpart Yevgeny Primakov. Primakov arrived for a short working visit to Croatia Thursday night. "Bilateral relations on the political and economic plan are ascending and I would like to welcome the balanced approach of the Russian Federation towards Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia," Granic told reporters in Zagreb. Russia's Primakov said "our relations with Croatia are ascending and we have suggested that a declaration on political principles between our two countries be drafted and signed, which Minister Granic has agreed to". Primakov positively assessed the completion of the peaceful reintegration of the Danube River region of eastern Croatia. "A lot has been done in resolving the issue of eastern Slavonia," he said, pointing out that before there had existed an "unfavourable picture of the refugees' return, but Zagreb took necessary measures and a firm stand". "Croatia is determined in enforcing all measures which brought to the successful completion of the peaceful reintegration," Granic stressed and recalled the bilateral return and full security of all citizens, the enforcement of the amnesty law and the law adjustment act, as well as all other measures "contributing to the restoration of trust, stability and peace". The Croatian Foreign Minister explained the steps Croatia was taking in relations with the Croat-Muslim Federation and Bosnia- Herzegovina, and pointed out Croatia had initiated active cooperation with the Bosnian Serb entity. "In that sense March 27 will see the beginning of negotiations on the bilateral return of the displaced and the resolving of property issues, while talks on economic and transport issues have already begun," Granic said, adding the visa system would be discussed in April, while Croatia's consulate in the Bosnian Serb entity would be opened in May. The Croatian Foreign Minister emphasised Croatia would also continue the normalisation of relations with Yugoslavia. "We welcome the development of relations between Croatia and Yugoslavia which will help in the establishment of stability in this area", Russia's Primakov said. Granic condemned the violence in the southern Yugoslav province of Kosovo and voiced support to "total efforts of the Contact Group and the international community". "Failure to notice the positive movement in Kosovo would be unforgivable," Primakov said, assessing that tension in Kosovo was diminishing and that the Serbian side had taken some positive steps. "Yugoslavia has expressed willingness to accept any European Union representative for resolving problems with the Albanian side, while (Yugoslav President Slobodan) Milosevic has stated that military forces and heavy weaponry have already been withdrawn from Kosovo", Primakov said. (Hina) ha mm /mb 201459 MET mar 98