CROATIAN PRIME MINISTER RECEIVES AUSTRIAN AMBASSADOR

ZAGREB, Feb 6 (Hina) - Croatian Prime Minister, Nikica Valentic, today received Austrian Ambassador to Croatia, Andreas Berlakovich. Croatian Foreign Minister, Mate Granic, was also present at the meeting. Austria is an important political and economic partner of Croatia's, Valentic explained, adding that economic trade between the two countries increased by more than 50 per cent during the past year. Valentic and Granic informed Berklakovich of Croatia's policies on UNPROFOR and of the talks in Munich at the weekend between Croatian representatives, European officials and leading American partners. Berlakovich said that Austria 'was observing Prime Minister Valentic's economic program' and it would ask international institutions to support Croatian economic reforms. Austria wanted to resolve once and for all, the question of building premises for its embassy in Croatia, which could accommodate all diplomatic and consular offices, Berlakovich said. Both Croatia and Austria had to find a suitable solution for the building premises of the embassy, Ambassador Berlakovich said. He pledged to improve bilateral relations between Austria and Croatia and announced Austria's extensive help to Croatia. Berlakovich said that Austria would firmly support the integration of Croatian interests with Europe. (Hina) sd mms 061414 MET feb 95