KOSTOVIC MEETS EUROPEAN MONITORY MISSION DIRECTOR

ZAGREB, Feb 7 (Hina) - Croatian Deputy Prime Minister Ivica Kostovic today received the European Monetary Mission (EMM) regional director, Jan-Uwe Thoms, at his request. Thoms expressed the European Union's concern about Germany's decision to begin returning Croatian refugees back home as of April 1. Kostovic said he planned to visit Germany on February 23 to discuss the issue with the parliamentary officials of the German states of Bavaria, Baden-Wuertenberg and Rheinland Phalz, which had given sanctuary to the largest number of Croatian refugees. Kostovic invoked an earlier agreement with Germany, which linked the return of refugees to an improvement of security and living conditions in the occupied areas, which had not been achieved. He expressed hope that the German parliament leaders would reconsider their decision and postpone the return of refugees. (Hina) rv as 071600 MET feb 95