SANADER SAYS NO CHANGES EXPECTED IN CROATIAN-GERMAN RELATIONS

( Editorial: --> 3840 ) ZAGREB, Sept 28 (Hina) - "I expect further developing of good, friendly and universal relations between Germany and Croatia," said on Monday Croatia's Deputy Foreign Minister Ivo Sanader, commenting on the victory of the Social Democratic Party and its leader Gerhard Schroeder in yesterday's general elections in Germany. Sanader said that he did not expect a change in German foreign policy after the election of Gerhard Schroeder as the new German Chancellor. "Regardless of what the future government looks like, what characterises the foreign policy of big powers is that it is defined by their national interests, and does not change if the party in power changes," Sanader said in a statement for Croatian Radio and Television's (HRT) main evening news bulletin. Assessing the change of German government as one of the most important political events of the year in Europe, Sanader emphasised that he did not expect any major changes in German policy towards Croatia. He added that he saw possible that the focus would shift from the unification of Europe to some domestic issues. "The focus will be on solving certain domestic issues, such as unemployment," said the Croatian Deputy Foreign Minister, adding that it was still uncertain what the new coalition would look like, and "what it will bring." (Hina) jfk lml /mbr 282118 MET sep 98