CROATIA & PORTUGAL SIGN CULTURAL COOPERATION AGREEMENT

( Editorial: --> 6723 ) ZAGREB/LISBON, April 14 (Hina) - Croatia and Portugal on Tuesday in Lisbon signed an agreement on culture, education and science which will intensify relations between these two countries in these areas. The agreement was signed by the Croatian Culture Minister Bozo Biskupic and Portugal's Secretary for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Luis Amado. Amado expressed belief that the area of culture, in which all peoples and all governments can best confirm their identity in European and global arenas, where Croatia had been developing its exceptionally rich culture and traditions for centuries, said he. Biskupic said that the programs for cooperation and international exchanges which were being launched by the agreement were particularly aimed at the youth, because they would give them an opportunity to get to know each other better and thus pave the way for development of bilateral relations. Portugal and Croatia want a multicultural Europe and a Europe which acknowledges national merits of peoples and countries, agreed the signatories. (hina) mm mrb/mr 141841 MET apr 98