CROATIA'S TUDJMAN MEETS PORTUGAL'S SAMPAIO

( Editorial: --> 9405 ) LISBON, June 6 (Hina) - Croatian President Franjo Tudjman Saturday afternoon held talks with his Portuguese counterpart Jorge Sampaio. The talks focused on bilateral relations between the two countries, the situation in Croatia and the neighbouring region, and Croatia's participation at the Expo 98 world exhibition. Tudjman is visiting Portugal's capital from June 6 to 8, on the occasion of marking Croatia's national day at the June 7 exhibition. The Portuguese President said Expo 98 had a special significance for Portugal as it presented the country to the world and contributed to bringing participating countries closer. The exhibition is also Croatia's opportunity to present its culture not only to Portugal, but to the world, Sampaio said. He pointed out to the good bilateral relations between Croatia and Portugal and the possibilities of further advancement in politics, economy, culture and other fields. Sampaio also announced a Portuguese embassy would soon be opened in Zagreb. Speaking about relations between Croatia and Portugal, President Tudjman recalled the long-standing tradition between the two peoples, as evidenced by the fact that the Dubrovnik Republic had its diplomatic representatives in Portugal and that the works of Croatian poet Marko Marulic had been translated into Portuguese in the 16th century. The talks also focused on the situation in Croatia and Bosnia- Herzegovina. As a Central European and Mediterranean country, Croatia's road is only in Euro-Atlantic integration, President Tudjman said. He assessed the situation in Bosnia as very confused and emphasised that as a neighbouring country, Croatia is very interested in a successful outcome of the peace process. The Croatian President pointed out to the necessity of consistently implementing the Dayton and Washington peace agreements and in that respect of the advancement of special relations between the Croat- Muslim Federation of BH and Croatia. As the future presiding country of the European Union in 2000, Portugal is equally interested in the success of the peace process in Bosnia, President Sampaio said. Portugal fully supports Croatia in its aspirations to access Euro- Atlantic integration, he stressed. After the talks, President Tudjman visited the Croatian Embassy in Lisbon. (hina) ha 061746 MET jun 98