CROATIA'S ASSISTANT FOREIGN MINISTER ENDS VISIT TO EGYPT

CAIRO, May 5 (Hina) - Croatian assistant foreign minister Frane Krnic concluded a two-day official visit to Egypt on Sunday. Krnic met Egyptian assistant foreign minister Fathy El Shazli for talks on ways of strengthening political, economic and cultural relations between the two countries. The two officials also discussed the situation in the former Yugoslavia and the Near East, and agreed on the framework of cooperation between Croatia and Egypt within multilateral international organizations and initiatives. With Marwan Badra, assistant foreign minister in charge of relations with African countries, Krnic dicussed possibilities of promoting relations between Croatia and African nations. Krnic also held separate talks with Egyptian foreign minister Amr Moussa and Arab League secretary general Esmat Abdel. Krnic relayed to Moussa an invitation from Croatian foreign minister Mate Granic to visit Croatia, which was accepted with pleasure. Moussa said that Egypt was planning to open a permanent diplomatic mission in Zagreb soon. Egyptian officials stressed the willingness of their country to take an active part in international efforts to help in resolving the post-Yugoslav crisis. (hina) vm 051817 MET may 96