GRANIC RECEIVES AUSTRALIAN MP THEOPHANOUS

( Editorial: --> 1442 ) ZAGREB, May 5 (Hina) - Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic received a member of the Australian Federal Parliament, Dr Andrew Theophanous on Monday and presented him with the Order of the Croatian Wickerwork, awarded by President Tudjman in 1996. Theophanous was decorated for his efforts in the recognition of the Republic of Croatia and as a friend of Croatia and the large Croatian community in Australia. Granic and Theophanous exchanged information on the political situation in Croatia and the wider region. The need for intensifying efforts in opening an Australian Embassy in Zagreb was stressed as well as overall bilateral relations, especially on the economic and cultural levels. (hina) mrb/as 041556 MET may 98