TUDJMAN RECEIVES OUTGOING HUNGARIAN & DUTCH AMBASSADORS

( Editorial: --> 9748 ) ZAGREB, Sept 11 (Hina) - Croatian President Franjo Tudjman on Friday held separate farewell meetings with the Ambassadors of Hungary and The Netherlands. Tudjman decorated both Hungary's Zsolt Szalay and the Netherlands' Jozef Willem Scheffers with the Prince Branimir Order as a sign of acknowledgement for successful work during their terms in Croatia. Expressing his gratitude for the decoration, the Hungarian Ambassador emphasised that he had been greatly assisted in his work by the Croatian government and parliament, as well as many Croatian public figures. "You personally have had an outstandingly great influence on the development of the excellent relations between Hungary and Croatia," Szalay told President Tudjman. Szalay also said that the newly-appointed Hungarian government would further pay great attention to relations with Croatia, and asked the Croatian President to continue paying attention to the Hungarian minority. It is a Hungarian interest that Croatia access Euroatlantic integration as soon as possible, including NATO, Szalay said. Dutch Ambassador Scheffers said it had been a great honour to spend here years which were crucial for the consolidation of new, independent Croatia. Peace-time problems are sometimes bigger than those in war-time, he said, adding he was especially pleased at Croatia's close cooperation with the international community as regarded the most important issues. Scheffers said he would continue doing everything to make the world have a better understanding of Croatia, and its transitional problems. (hina) ha jn 111737 MET sep 98