ITALY SUPPORTS CROATIA'S IDEA ON CEI - EU MEETING

( Editorial: --> 9349 ) BRIJUNI, June 6 (Hina) - Italy fully supports Croatia's idea on a meeting between representatives of the Central European Initiative (CEI) and European Union which would initiate the strengthening of their relations, Croatian representatives at the CEI ministerial meeting on the northern Adriatic island of Brijuni said on Saturday. Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic today held talks with Italian Deputy Foreign Minister Piero Fassino on rapprochement between CEI and EU as well as on the Croatian-Italian relations. Fassino supported Croatia's proposal that a meeting of high CEI and EU representatives be organised in autumn this year, so that talks on strengthening mutual relations could begin. Most CEI member-states are countries in transition and they view the improvement of their relations with the EU as an additional impetus to their efforts in joining the EU. Italy's support for the Croatian idea is important because Italy is an EU member state with a considerable amount of influence on EU stands. During their talks, Granic and Fassino agreed that preparations for the visit of the Croatian President Franjo Tudjman to Italy in the second half of this year were proceeding well. (hina) rml 061220 MET jun 98