MINISTER GRANIC'S STATEMENT UPON RETURN FROM ANKARA

ZAGREB, July 3 (Hina) - Upon his return to Zagreb from Ankara Croatian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister assessed that very good Croatian-Turkish relations were on the rise. In an interview with Croatian Television Minister Granic said that Turkish President Demirel would be expected to visit Sarajevo and Zagreb on 15, 16 and 17 July. At the same time a tripartite meting of leadership of Croatia, Turkey as well as of Bosnia- Herzegovina and the (Croat-Bosniac) Federation would be due to be held at the highest level. Minister Granic said "Turkey is interested in finding the early peaceful solution, if it is possible through the proposal of the "contact group". "If Bosnian Serbs refuse the proposal, Turkey will certainly back the Federation," said Croatian Foreign Minister. Commenting on statements of Bosnian Serb leaders that they did not like the contact group's proposal Minister Granic said that the Federation would not reject the proposal quickly but it would consider the proposal in detail before responding to it. "We will also carefully consider the proposal and afterwards give our opinion to the Federation as its future confederal partner," said Croatian Foreign Minister. Asked whether Turkey would support Croatia if the issue of the occupied areas of Croatia might be included in the agenda of the U.N. General Assembly session Minister Granic replied "Turkey strongly stands by the Republic of Croatia in its justified demands. He also pointed out that Turkey had political clout on not only 51 Islamic countries-members of the General Assembly but on another group of some dozen countries, so that this might be the significant support to Croatia during the U.N. General Assembly session. At the end of his interview Minister Granic said that during his visit to Ankara he and his hosts had discussed Croatian-Turkish economic relations and Turkey's loan to Croatia as well as the connection between the two countries by ferry. 031030 MET jul 94