CRO RETURN & IMMIGRATION MINISTRY VISITING ISRAEL

TEL AVIV, Dec 2 (Hina) - A delegation of the Croatian Ministry of Return and Immigration, headed by Minister Marjan Petrovic, is visiting Israel, where the "Metropolis" international organisation for migration is holding a conference. "Metropolis" gathers countries with a large diaspora and a high immigration rate, and its main goal is successful integration of immigrants. "Metropolis" has 22 member-countries. Croatia is attending the conference as an observer. A high ranking "Metropolis" official on Tuesday proposed to Petrovic that Croatia become a full right member of the organisation. Petrovic said that Croatia, upon officially receiving the proposal, would consider it with great attention. The Croatian delegation also met the Israeli Immigration Minister Juri Adelstein, Industry Minister Natan Sharanski, and ambassadors of the United States and Canada in Israel. Israel and Croatia have many things in common - they are countries with a high number diaspora, and they both believe return and immigration are of vital and strategic interest, Petrovic's deputy Josip Juras told Hina. The Croatian delegation today visited immigrants' reception centres and language schools in several Israeli cities. (hina) it/ha jn