LISBON: CROATIAN, PORTUGUESE FOREIGN MINISTERS BEGIN TALKS

LISBON, Feb 3 (Hina) - Croatian Foreign Minister Tonino Picula on Monday began a two-day official visit to Portugal by meeting his counterpart and host Antonio Martinso da Cruz. #L# As the Croatian Foreign Ministry announced, the two officials should discuss bilateral relations and Croatia's upcoming application for full European Union membership. Picula is visiting Lisbon as part of a tour of Europe's capitals in which he is lobbying for support to the application Croatia is expected to submit in Athens on the 18th. The Croat should also be received by Portugal's President Jorge Sampaio and parliament president Joao Bosco Mota Amaralo. (hina) ha