CROATIAN PRESIDENT RECEIVES MOSTAR'S EU ADMINISTRATOR

ZAGREB, May 23 (Hina) - Croatian President Franjo Tudjman on Thursday received the European Union Administrator of Mostar, Ricardo Perez Casado, the President's Office said in a statement. The President said that Croatia was interested that the mission of Mr Casado and the EU was a success and that he could count on Croatian assistance. Tudjman said that Croatia was determined in its support for the consistent implementation of the Washington and Dayton agreements, particularly the strengthening of the Bosnian Federation. In this respect, it is important that the Mostar elections are held in line with the agreements, the President said. Also discussed were possible compromise solutions, which was the subject of intensive diplomatic activity, so that the Mostar elections could be held not later than the second half of June, when the EU mandate expires. Croatian officials attending the talks included Presidential Chief of Staff Ivo Sanader, Foreign Policy Adviser Zeljko Matic and Consul to Mostar Ciro Grubisic. Mr Casado was accompanied by Alfred Matacotta, coordinator of the EU administration in Mostar, the statement concluded. (hina) vm 231224 MET may 96