PRESIDENT TUDJMAN HOLDS TALKS WITH SOLANA AND JOULWAN - STATEMENT

ZAGREB, 15 June (Hina) - Croatian President Franjo Tudjman yesterday received NATO Secretary General Javier Solana and the chief commander of the NATO Main Headquarters, General George Joulwan, a statement from the President's Office said. #L# The talks focused on the implementation of the Dayton peace agreement. The high officials also exchanged their views about the regional approach to European integration processes and peace prospects in the region. Croatia fully supported the implementation of the Dayton peace accord, President Tudjman said. Croatia belonged to the Central European and Mediterranean civilisation circles, he added. After the talks, Solana said that in this important moment for Bosnia-Herzegovina, he wanted to consider the current situation in the region with President Tudjman. Commitments of all sides involved in the implementation of the Dayton peace process would also be discussed, Solana said, adding the most important thing at present was the election process in Bosnia-Herzegovina. General Joulwan, who arrived from Florence, said that the ministerial meeting in Florence had been 'very positive'. He added that all participants in the meeting had confirmed their support for the Dayton peace agreement. The talks between President Tudjman, General Joulwan and Mr Solana lasted almost three hours. Present at the talks, at President Tudjman's side, were also Premier Zlatko Matesa, Croatia's Ambassador in Brussels, Janko Vranitzany-Dobrinovic, Croatian army Chief-Of-Staff Zvonimir Cervenko and President Tudjman's advisor, Zeljko Matic. Joulwan and Solana will leave for Sarajevo on Saturday, where they are to hold talks with the Bosnian President Alija Izetbegovic. They are also to meet commanders of the international Implementation Force (IFOR). (hina) rm 151013 MET jun 96