VISIT TO SAUDI ARABIA SUCCESSFUL, TALKS FRIENDLY, MINISTER GRANIC SAYS

RIYADH, May 28 (Hina) - The visit to Saudi Arabia was very successful and talks were conducted in a very friendly atmosphere, Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic said at the end of his official visit to Saudi Arabia. Minister Granic yesterday met his Saudi counterpart, Prince Saud. The two ministers agreed to establish diplomatic relations. Today, Granic met the two key figures in the Saudi Government - the Culture, Tradition and Religion Minister, Al Turki, and the Industry and Energy Minister, Abdul Aziz Al Zamil. The talks focused on political issues. It was noted that Croatia and Saudi Arabia were in agreement on a number of issues, particularly the need to strengthen the Croat-Moslem Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina. Economic talks focused on opportunities for cooperation. Minister Al Zamil outlined 19 joint-venture projects with Croatian companies. It was in Saudi Arabia's interest to enhance its presence on the central-European market through Croatia. Shipping lines between Croatia and Jeddah were pronounced to be excellent. Minister Al Turki, who visited several refugee facilities during his recent stay in Croatia, thanked the Croatian Government for taking such good care of dozens of thousands of refugees, particularly Moslems. He pledged that Saudi Arabia would continue sending humanitarian assistance to Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. (hina) as 281737 MET may 95