CROATIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ARRIVES IN BRAZIL ( Editorial: --> 2125 )

( Editorial: --> 2125 ) BRASILIA, Nov 19 (Hina) - Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic arrived in Brasilia for an official visit on Wednesday. Granic is to hold talks with his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Felipe Lamprei and other officials about promoting political, economic, cultural and scientific cooperation between the two countries. Several agreements are in preparation. This is the highest level state visit since Brazil and Croatia established diplomatic relations on 23 December 1992. Granic's visit to Brazil, according to Croatian diplomats, is a part of Croatia's continuing policy of strengthening relations with non-European countries. The development of Croatia's relations with Brazil also involved connecting with the strong and very successful business association MERCOSUR, whose member countries also include Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay, with Chile and Bolivia as associate members. (hina) lm 191851 MET nov 97