CROATIAN AND ITALIAN FOREIGN MINISTERS SATISFIED WITH TALKS

ROME, Nov 15 (Hina/AR) - Croatian and Italian foreign ministers, Mate Granic and Antonio Martino, said they were satisfied with today's talks. The ministers today discussed in Rome bilateral relations, Italy's support to Croatia's admission to European integrations, the protection of the Italian minority in Croatia, and a forthcoming visit of Italian Prime Minister Silvie Berlusconi to Croatia. Martino said at a press conference after the meeting that the talks with Granic were friendly and fruitful. He said bilateral relations were of great importance, particularly considering the prospects for establishing closer ties between Croatia and the European Union. Martino estimated Croatian Government proposals on resolving the status of the Italian minority as constructive. The proposals would be discussed at a meeting between Croatian and Italian delegations scheduled for 29 November. Granic said that today's talks with his Italian counterpart were frank and very friendly. Granic said he had expressed Croatia's grave concern over the participation of Croatian Serbs in fighting in western Bosnia. The ministers supported better economic relations between the two countries and said that an agreement on investment protection and prevention of double taxation was expected to be signed soon. (hina) jas ks 151941 MET nov 94