CROATIAN AMBASSADOR HANDS CREDENTIALS TO AUSTRIAN PRESIDENT

VIENNA, Dec 19 (Hina) - "For Austria the friendship with Croatia has a particular significance," Austrian President Thomas Klestil said upon receiving the credentials from the incoming Croatian Ambassador in Vienna, Drazen Vukov Colic. Klestil added that although his country and Croatia had no joint border-line, Vienna treated Croatia as a country-neighbour and had supported its efforts to enter the European community from the very beginning. Austria's head of state applauded the commencement of the negotiations between Zagreb and the European Union on a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA), and expressed hope the talks would soon be concluded in a successful manner. Klestil was glad to receive best regards from Croatian President Stjepan Mesic, who will soon tour the Austrian capital. This tour is seen as a great step forward in the furtherance of the excellent bilateral ties, Klestil said during his reception of the newly-appointed Croatian ambassador. Ambassador Vukov Colic thanked for all assistance and political support Austria had given and was giving to Croatia. He also spoke of the importance and values of the 24 November Summit in Zagreb where heads of state or government of 15 EU member countries and five countries covered by the SAA processes had met. Vukov Colic pointed to the importance of the developed economic ties between his country and Austria so that the latter became the fourth largest economic partner of Croatia. He underlined the progress the incumbent Austrian authorities had done in the protection of minority rights, which was particularly important for some 45,000 Burgenland Croats. The diplomat also informed Klestil that at the moment it was for Croatia very important to attract Austrian direct investments. (hina) ms