TUDJMAN'S CHIEF-OF-STAFF RECEIVES ISRAELI AMBASSADOR

( Editorial: --> 5064 ) ZAGREB, May 19 (Hina) - The Croatian President's Chief-of-Staff, Hrvoje Sarinic, on Tuesday received incoming Israeli Ambassador Nathan Meron. Meron described the recent visit of Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic to Israel, where he had talks with President Weizman and Prime Minister Natanyahu, as exceptionally meaningful in every aspect, said a President's Office statement. Meron said that relations with Croatia received an entirely new quality and significance. The ambassador added that cooperation should now be open in all fields, beginning with economy. The visit by Croatian President Franjo Tudjman to Israel will be of great importance in that sense. Sarinic said that the visit and overall relations were also assessed by the Croatian side as being very positive, and that Croatia will put in all efforts for the all-embracing development of bilateral relations. (hina) jn mrb/ha 191801 MET may 98