THE WASHINGTON TIMES PUBLISHES SPECIAL FEATURE ABOUT CROATIA

WASHINGTON, July 15 (Hina) - The Washington Times has recently published a special feature about Croatia. In the four-page report the daily has given general information as well as articles about Croatia which emerged from war as the victor. It has also quoted Premier Zlatko Matesa, Foreign Minister Mate Granic and several government officials and businessmen. Premier Matesa has said that U.S. investments should be a more important factor in bilateral ties. Minister Granic has been quoted as commenting on an agreement on associate membership to the European Union, the joining of Partnership for Peace Programme and Croatian foreign policy's priorities. Zagreb will promote a policy of good neighbourly relations with eastern European and Balkan countries and conclude bilateral agreements, but it does not want to be a part of any formal association in south- eastern Europe, Granic has been quoted as saying. Granic has also said that his country is a member-state of the OSCE (Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe) and its diplomacy is working intensively on Croatia's bid for joining CEFTA (Central European Free Trade Agreement). The Washington Times points out that it is profitable to invest into Croatia, which will have the most secure economic future compared to other countries in the region, according to the paper's anticipation. Special articles have presented the beauty of the Croatian Adriatic coast and the country's potential in tourism and writes about economic fields where money can be invested. (hina) mm mš 151543 MET jul 97