CROATIAN FOREIGN MINISTER RECEIVES AUSTRIAN AMBASSADOR

( Editorial: --> 9021 ) ZAGREB, Sept 8 (Hina) - Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic on Tuesday received Austria's Ambassador Rudolf Bogner, who delivered a European Union's verbal protest concerning the pre-election situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Foreign Ministry said. The EU is concerned about some moves and statements made by the leaders of the Croatian Democratic Union of Bosnia-Herzegovina (HDZ BiH), as well as about the statement issued after the meeting between the Croatian state leadership and the HDZ BiH on September 6, Bogner said. The EU is also concerned about the statements regarding the implementation of the Dayton peace agreement, Bogner said adding that Croatia is expected to exert its influence on the HDZ BiH so that it abides by the election standards and not boycott the elections. The EU expects Croatia to stay committed to the implementation of the peace agreement and to continue the talks on the Ploce port, the Austrian Ambassador said. Croatia will continue to make efforts and consistently implement the Dayton agreement and it will also continue the talks on the Ploce port but it is very concerned about the unnecessary removal of as many as 18 candidates from the election lists of the largest Bosnian Croat party, Granic said. Granic informed Bogner about today's statement by the HDZ BiH vice president Jadranko Prlic regarding the party's participation in the September elections. The Foreign Minister expressed hope that none of the sides would make any unilateral moves until the end of the pre-election campaign, which could lead to hasty reactions, but secure the successful organisation of the elections through joint, rational endeavours. (hina) rml 082050 MET sep 98