MESIC: CHRISTMAS TREE - SIGN OF GOOD TIES AND GRATITUDE TO VATICAN

ROME, Dec 16 (Hina) - A Christmas tree, Croatia's gift to the Vatican, is a symbolic confirmation of good relations between the Republic of Croatia and the Holy See and expression of gratitude to the Vatican for the support it had given to Zagreb more than a decade ago, Croatian President Stjepan Mesic said in his toast at the dinner he gave in the honour of the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, on Monday evening. #L# On Tuesday afternoon Mesic will officially hand over the Christmas tree to the Pope. The tree, a 27-metre-high spruce from the Gorski Kotar area (central Croatia), was transferred to the Vatican and set up in St Peter's Square beside traditional Christmas creche a week ago. During the dinner, Mesic also thanked the Holy Father and Sodano for "efforts invested in and contribution to the development of good relations (between the Vatican and Zagreb). We cannot forget the fact that the Holy See was among the first to recognise Croatia's independence, before the EU did so." The Croatian head of state recalled that the Vatican and his country had signed four agreements which served as the foundation for the regulation of the relations between the Catholic Church and the Croatian state in the economic, cultural, educational and social areas. He added that Croatia would like to be a promoter of peace and cooperation among nations and it wanted the assistance of the Holy See and the Catholic Church in Croatia in such endeavours. Mesic voiced hope that during his third visit to Croatia (planned for mid- 2003) the Pope would support such bids of Zagreb. (hina) ms sb