CROATIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ARRIVES IN ISRAEL

( Editorial: --> 2882 ) JERUSALEM, May 10 (Hina) - Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic Sunday evening arrived in Israel. This is the first official visit representatives of the Croatian government make to that country. "The visit to Israel has a strong political dimension and surpasses the relations between the two countries", Granic said prior to the beginning of the visit. Talks with Israeli officials will focus on bilateral and multilateral cooperation, as well as on the situation in the former Yugoslavia territory and on peace-keeping negotiations in the Near East, the foreign minister said. According to Svjetlan Berkovic, Croatia's first ambassador accredited to Israel, Minister Granic's visit is testimony to the continuation of good relations between the two countries. Croatia and Israel signed a protocol on the establishment of diplomatic relations last September. Croatia has to get closer to Israel, the ambassador said. He pointed out Zagreb-Jerusalem relations were very good and developing in all fields, especially culture, tourism and economy. (hina) ha 102122 MET may 98