DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER HANDS PROTEST TO SLOVENIAN AMBASSADOR

( Editorial: --> 0844 ) ZAGREB, July 30 (Hina) - Croatian Deputy Foreign Minister Ivo Sanader on Thursday called on the Slovenian Ambassador to Croatia, Bostjan Kovacic, and handed him a protest note on behalf of the Croatian government due to Slovenia's shutting down of two transmission lines via which Slovenia's nuclear power plant Krsko transports electricity to Croatia. The Croatian side describes such an act as unacceptable with regard to the principles and agreements between the two countries as equal partners and effectual contractual relations regarding the Krsko power plant, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Croatia dismisses such a manner of solving open bilateral issues and warns that, if Slovenia remains loyal to its decision, it would review bilateral relations hitherto, Sanader said. The only acceptable way of solving open issues is negotiations, and Croatia suggests meetings between relevant ministries and a visit of foreign ministries to both countries. (hina) lml jn 301832 MET jul 98