STATEMENTS BY GRANIC, DINI AND SANTER

ZAGREB, June 7 (Hina) - Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic and visiting EU Ministerial Council Chairman Lamberto Dini and European Commission President Jacques Santer held a press conference in Zagreb on Friday after talks with Croatian President Franjo Tudjman. "President Tudjman has expressed a firm view that Croatia belongs to Central Europe and the Mediterranean and therefore it supports integrations within that area," Granic said. "As a Central European and Mediterranean country, Croatia is willing to assist in the stabilization of this region and cooperate with it as well as to normalize relations with Belgrade," he added. Granic noted that these were the first official talks on "a regional approach" in resolving the crisis. Granic said that the regional approach was presented by Santer, explaining that Europe did not want a new Yugoslavia or a similar association but that it supported economic cooperation in the region. "Joining European institutions depends on each country individually," Granic said, adding that cooperation within the region would be rewarded. Santer said that the EU would assist in the process of normalization with resources at its disposal. He said that the normalization of relations was very important, but added that it depended primarily on the countries in the region. Dini said that guarantees provided by President Tudjman of Croatia's commitment to peace were a great encouragment. He described the talks as very interesting and exceptionally constructive. (hina) vm mm 072031 MET jun 96