PRESIDENT TUDJMAN RECEIVES FORMER ITALIAN PRESIDENT

( Editorial: --> 4707 ) ZAGREB, Jan 15 (Hina) - Croatian President Franjo Tudjman on Thursday received the former Italian president and Italian senator for life, Francesco Cossiga, the first foreign official to have visited Croatia two days after its international recognition in 1992, Tudjman's Office said in a statement. Tudjman said that visit of Cossiga meant encouragement to the Croatian people and strengthened it in its convictions that Croatia, whose certain areas had been occupied, would realise its integrity and sovereignty. Cossiga described Italy's decision to recognise Croatia and establish diplomatic relations as his most correct state decisions regarding foreign affairs. Participants in the talks expressed satisfaction that today, exactly six years after the international recognition, Croatia was taking over control of its whole territory. This removed the last of obstacles for including Croatia into Euro- Atlantic institutions, Cossiga said. He stressed that he would use all of his influence to support Croatia in the realisation of these goals. Stressing that he had accepted Tudjman's invitation with great pleasure, Cossiga relayed greetings to Tudjman from the Italian President Luigi Scalfaro and Prime Minister Prodi, expressing conviction that Italy would continue to develop friendly relations with Croatia. (hina) lm 151557 MET jan 98