CROATIAN PRIME MINISTER RECEIVES IMF DELEGATION

ZAGREB, Feb 22 (Hina) - Croatian Prime Minister Zlatko Matesa on Thursday met for talks with a visiting delegation of the International Monetary Fund headed by Bob Feldman. After the talks, which also involved Deputy Prime Minister Borislav Skegro and Finance Minister Bozo Prka, Matesa said that the purpose of the IMF visit was to assess the state of the Croatian economy. The assessment would serve as a basis for a new three-year agreement between Croatia and the IMF, which would help maintain the regular balance of payements to foreign creditors and in the repayment of Croatia's foreign debts, Matesa added. "We have to await the results of the mission but I think that the prospect of concluding a three-year arrangement with the Fund is very favourable to Croatia, which will have direct influence on international confidence in the country," he said. (hina) vm jn 222353 MET feb 96