ITALY AND CROATIA CARE FOR MINORITIES AND ETHNIC COMMUNITIES

TRIESTE, Nov 27 (Hina) - The governments of Croatia and Italy care for minorities and ethnic communities, Croatian Foreign Minister Ivo Sanader said in Trieste on Friday. Sanader held talks with the premier of the Friuli - Julian Vencia province, Roberto Antonione, and representatives of the Croatian minority in the northeast of Italy. The relations between the two countries are very good and friendly, Sanader and Antonione agreed. Sanader relayed an invitation to the premier of the Italian province to join the reconstruction programme in Croatia, especially the reconstruction of war-ravaged counties, the Foreign Ministry said on Friday night. At a meeting with representatives of the Croatian minority in Italy, head of the Croatian delegation, Damir Murkovic, stressed that the agreement on the protection of minorities signed by Croatia and Italy was especially important for Croatians living in this northeastern part of Italy. The Croatian representatives informed Sanader about preparations for a research project about Croats who have been present in the northeast of Italy for centuries. (hina) lml