CROATIAN FOREIGN MINISTER GRANIC, FINISHES SWITZERLAND VISIT

BERN, Feb 28 (Hina) - Switzerland fully supports the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Croatia and all of Croatia's efforts for the peaceful reintegration of occupied Croatian territories, the Croatian Foreign Mnister, Mate Granic and the Swiss Foreign Minister, Slavio Cotti emphasised in Bern yesterday, during the first official meeting of the ministers. Switzerland, as a member of the EFTE and an OESS representative in 1996, will support Croatia in entering European integration, and its admission to the Council of Europe and the PHARE program. According to Granic's assessment, the meeting proceeded in an interesting and favourable atmosphere. Apart from the situation in Croatia, particularly in her currently temporarily occupied territories, the situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina, the implementation of the Washington Agreement and the events in Mostar were also discussed. Refering to the non-negotiable decision of the Croatian Government on cancelling the 'blue helmet' mandate, Granic informed Cotti of Croatia's measures which along with the assistance of the international community should help continue the process of peacefully reintegrating occupied territories. Bilateral themes were discussed during a working dinner which was not attended by Cotti, but high Swiss foreign ministry officials were present. The Croatian embassy in Bern presented the Swiss Government with Croatia's proposals for two agreements - the mutual protection of investments and avoiding double taxation. And the lifting of visa requirements for Croatian citizens, an issue which Switzerland has made no official announcement on. 281200 MET feb 95