CROATIAN AND GREEK DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTERS HOLD TALKS

( Editorial: --> 2276 ) ZAGREB, June 18 (Hina)- Greek and Croatian Deputy Foreign Ministers on Thursday discussed further strengthening of political and economic relations between their two countries and preparations for the Croatian President's visit to Greece later this year. "A visit to Greece by President Tudjman will be an important event for the two countries' relations", Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Yannos Kranidiotis said. Kranidiotis will be received on Friday by Foreign Minister Mate Granic. He pointed out that Greece believed that Croatia, just like countries in the neighbouring SE Europe, had a role to play in the united Europe, provided they meet certain EU standards. Greece, a member of the EU and NATO, will back Croatia's bid for membership in those organisations, Deputy Foreign Minister Ivo Sanader said after the meeting. The Greek-Croatian relations in international organisations, especially the Council of Europe, are exceptionally good, the Croatian Foreign Ministry stressed. The two deputy ministers, who discussed the Kosovo crisis, implementation of the Dayton Accords in BH and normalisation of relations between Croatia and the FRY, noted the two countries' common interests in the region of the Balkans, which borders with Croatia. Greece is concerned about the situation in Kosovo and would like to see a peaceful settlement between the Serbs and the Kosovo Albanians, Kranidiotis said. There are currently about 300,000 Albanians from Albania in Greece, and Greece fears that escalation of the Kosovo crisis could trigger a refugee exodus from Kosovo. During the meeting Kranidiotis also said that Greece expected from the Croatian Government a transparent plan for the return of refugees. The deputies described economic relations as very good, adding they expected ratification by their parliaments of two to three agreements, including the one on avoiding double taxation. So far Greece and Croatia have signed eight bilateral agreements, including an agreement on economic cooperation, the only such agreement between Croatia and a EU member. Greece is interested in road transit through Croatia to European destinations as well as in privatisation of Croatian companies, the Croatian ship-building industry and cooperation in tourism. Croatia has found support in small EU countries, such as Greece, Portugal and Austria, the Foreign Ministry noted. Greece and Croatia are especially interested in cooperation in the Mediterranean, where they have some similar problems, including maritime border problems. Greece is committed to the membership of all Mediterranean countries in the Mediterranean Forum, which was established in 1994 by France and Spain. Croatia is also interested in joining the Forum. (hina) mros/rmli 182155 MET jun 98