ITALY SUPPORTS CROATIA'S BID TO ENTER EUROPEAN ORGANIZATIONS

ZAGREB, Nov 5 (Hina) - Italy will firmly support Croatia's bid to join Western and Central European integration processes, Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic and his Italian counterpart Lamberto Dini said in Zagreb on Tuesday. The two ministers signed an agreement on the protection of minority rights and an agreement on the promotion and protection of bilateral investments. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, both ministers described the talks and the relations between Croatia and Italy as very friendly. They said that the agreements were an important step in promoting relations between the two countries. "We have the same or very similar views on all issues, while a very small number of issues are yet to be solved, but none of them are crucial," Granic said. Noting that Croatia was a Central European and Mediterranean country, Granic stressed that it saw its place within Central Europe and Euro-Atlantic organizations. Dini, who was on a day-long visit, said that Italy supported Croatia's efforts to join the European Union as well as goals of its foreign and domestic policies. Granic said that Croatia would like to participate in the next meetings of Italy, Hungary and Slovenia. Dini added that the trilateral initiative was open to other countries. Granic emphasized that Croatia did not accept the so-called regional approach of the European Union to the countries of Southeastern Europe. "As far as the EU's regional approach is concerned, Croatia is willing to develop cooperation with all countries of Southeastern Europe. But what is unacceptable to us is any kind of association (of these countries) and conditions," Granic said. "We believe that we'll find a common language with the EU to discuss individual approaches to each country according to the degree of its political, economic and democratic development," he added. Speaking of the reintegration of UN-administered eastern Croatia and the mandate of the UN Transitional Administration in the area, Granic said that he expected that "the Security Council will pass a resolution extending the UNTAES mandate for six months at the most" and that the resolution would contain "the spirit of the agreement between President Tudjman and (UN Transitional Administrator) General Klein." Speaking of Croatia's status in the region, Dini said that "Croatia can assume and must play a leading role in overcoming the remaining problems." (hina) vm jn 051456 MET nov 96