MINISTER GRANIC VISITS CROATIA'S EMBASSY TO ARGENTINA

BUENOS AIRES, May 1 (Hina) - After the official part of his visit to the Republic of Argentina when Croatian deputy prime minister and foreign minister Dr. Mate Granic had held fruitful meetings with Argentinean president and premier Carlos Menem and Argentinean foreign minister Guido Ditell and after his one-day visit to Uruguay, Croatian minister spent his third day of visit to Argentina meeting with Croatian ambassador to Argentina, Matko Nedo, in Croatia's Embassy in Buenos Aires and holding talks with members of the Croatian Catholic mission of Tajar and the Club of Argentinean-Croatian Friendship. Speaking of further development of relations between Croatia and South American countries, Minister Granic stressed that their progress would be based on activities of Croatia's already established embassies to Argentina and Chile and the embassy to Brazil that should be opened. Emphasizing the importance of good diplomatic and economic relations between Croatia and South American countries Croatian foreign minister reiterated that South American countries were the states that had been backing Croatia both in direct contact and in the international organizations such as the United Nations and U.N. Security Council. Minister Granic also pointed out an important role of the Croatian immigrants in some of South American countries who could contribute to better relations between Croatia and the countries where they live now. He called on Croatian immigrants to South American countries to invest their capital in Croatia's economy and welcomed all who would like to return to their homeland. During the talks in Croatia's Embassy in Buenos Aires Minister Granic pointed out the necessity of better organization in trade between Croatia and South American countries, whose markets would open to Croatia's products. In this field Croatian Chamber of Commerce and other companies could undertake further steps after successful political talks. 011058 MET may 94