CROATIAN-JAPANESE RELATIONS FOLLOW ASCENDING LINE

TOKYO, Dec 16 (Hina) - Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granoc met his Japanese counterpart, Yukihiko Ikeda, in Tokyo on Monday. The two ministers agreed that Croatian-Japanese relations were good and following an ascending line. Minister Yukihiko Ikeda expressed the hope that the reintegration of the Croatian Danubian area would be completed timely and in accordance with UN Security Council Resolutions, and that Croatia would continue to support the peace process in Bosnia- Herzegovina. Minister Granic said Croatia wanted to apply its energies chiefly to economic development and integration into European and Atlantic associations. One of the main principles of Croatian state policy was to maintain good relations with neighbours. Croatia also aimed for developed realtions with other outstanding countries, such as the United States, the ASEAN countries and Japan. Croatia was interested in expanding economic cooperation with Japan, particularly in the field of tourism and investments in the Croatian economy. Minister Yukihiko Ikeda accepted the invitation to visit Croatia next year. The opening of the Japanese embassy in Zagreb was also announced for next year. (hina) jn as 161412 MET dec 96