GRANIC, COOK HOLD TALKS - STATEMENT

ZAGREB, July 30 (Hina) - Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic on Wednesday held talks with British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook, the Croatian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Minister Granic informed his guest about the Croatian Government's measures for a successful termination of the process of peaceful reintegration of the Danube region of eastern Croatia, and the organized preliminary work for a two-way return of displaced persons and refugees to their homes. Speaking about the end of the UNTAES mandate in Croatia's Danube region, Granic expressed readiness to meet all undertaken commitments, so that the UN mission could be entirely and successfully completed by 15 January next year. Reiterating Croatia's determination to fully implement the Washington and Dayton accords, Croatia's foreign minister informed his British counterpart about preparations for a meeting between Croatian President Franjo Tudjman and the chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Alija Izetbegovic. Today's talks also focused on relations between Croatia and Yugoslavia, cooperation with The Hague Tribunal, the freedom of the media, and on the ratification of conventions Croatia signed upon becoming a member of the Council of Europe. Both parties concluded that bilateral relations were good. The two foreign ministers stressed it was necessary to start negotiations on a double taxation avoidance contract, as well as on trade and economic cooperation. British Foreign Secretary Cook voiced support for the processes of Croatia's Euro-Atlantic integrations, especially in light of the successful termination of the Danube region's reintegration, the statement by the Croatian Foreign Ministry concluded. (hina) ha 301806 MET jul 97