TALKS BETWEEN CRO,SERB PRESIDENTS IN ATHENA BEGIN

ATHENA, August 7 (Hina) - Croatian President Franjo Tudjman and his Serbian counterpart Slobodan Milosevic on Wednesday morning began talks which focus on the normalization of relations between Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in Vouliagmeni, a summer resort near Athena. Accompanying President Tudjman on his one-day working visit to Greece are Foreign Minister Mate Granic, his Deputy Ivan Simonovic and the President's Advisor for Foreign Affairs Zeljko Matic. Also present is Croatian Ambassador to Greece Ivica Mastruko. The Croatian President and his associates were welcomed by Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis, who had invited the Croatian delegation to visit Athena. Simitis also invited Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic and his associates. After the meeting began, Simitis left. The Greek newspapers point out that the meeting confirms "Greece's considerable role in solving the crisis in the region". "Simitis' invitation is proof of a continual, peaceful and balanced policy of the Greek government in looking for a solution for peace in the region", the Wednesday issue of "Eleterotipija" points out. (hina) ha 071159 MET aug 96