HUNGARIAN PRESIDENT GOENCZ VISITS EASTERN CRO REGION OF BARANJA

SUZA, Sept 28 (Hina) - Hungarian President Arpad Goencz ended his two-day stay in Croatia on Tuesday by visiting the eastern-most region of Baranja village of Suza, which has a majority Hungarian population. Speaking to local residents, President Goencz asserted Croatian citizens of Hungarian nationality greatly suffered in Croatia's Homeland War earlier this decade. He expressed hope the ongoing reconstruction would help Croatia's and Hungary's endeavours to become part of the European Union. Commenting on the Educational Cultural Centre of Hungarians in Croatia, which he opened in nearby Osijek earlier today, Goencz pointed to the outstanding importance of the fact that Croatian Hungarians learn their mother tongue. Also present was Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic, who asserted that "only a few countries in Europe have relations which are as good as Croatian-Hungarian, because almost no open issues at all exist between us." Granic said Croatia and Hungary had signed all major agreements, including the one on the bilateral protection of minorities, the first of its kind among Central European countries. A free trade zone agreement is expected to be signed by year's end. "Croatia and Hungary have the same strategic goal, to become, as Central European countries, part of integrated and united Europe," the foreign minister said. Thanking President Goencz for his contribution to bringing Croatia and Hungary closer, Granic said Croatia would continue caring for the protection of minorities, assessing this as a significant element in its development strategy. Today, Goencz met representatives of the Democratic Union of Hungarians of Croatia and of Hungarians residing in Baranja. (hina) ha