CROATIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS JAPANESE AMBASSADOR

ZAGREB, Jan 9 (Hina) - Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic today received the Vienna-based Japanese Ambassador to Croatia, Tsuyoshi Kurokawa, a Foreign Ministry statement said. Granic informed the Japanese ambassador of the situation in occupied Croatian territories and the progress of talks with Serb authorities from these areas. Granic stressed Croatia was dissatisfied with slowness in implementing the December 2 economic agreement and results of UNPROFOR's mandate in Croatia. Speaking of the situation in neighbouring Bosnia-Herzegovina, Granic reiterated Croatia's support for the cessation-of- hostilities agreement and the political resolution of the conflict. Granic emphasized that an earlier restoration of UN-protected areas under Croatian rule would facilitate a settlement of the conflict in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The talks also focused on the economic situation in Croatia, its cooperation with international financial institutions and its efforts to join European integration processes. Bilteral relations between Croatia and Japan were described as positive, and the two officials agreed that all possibilities of economic cooperation had not yet been exhausted. Granic expressed gratitude for substantial humanitarian aid Japan had sent to Croatia, particularly in the last year. (hina) mm vm 091449 MET jan 95