CROATIA EXPECTS PORTUGAL'S SUPPORT IN ACCESSING EU - MATESA

( Editorial: --> 3216 ) LISBON/ZAGREB, Sept 25 (Hina) - Croatian Prime Minister Zlatko Matesa met his Portuguese counterpart Antonio Guterres in Lisbon on Friday. The two officials discussed Portugal's support for Croatia's speedier accession to the European Union, the situation in Bosnia- Herzegovina and the Kosovo crisis, said a report in tonight's Croatian Television late news broadcast "Motrista". Guterres said he was satisfied with the fact that Croatia was successfully implementing a programme of economic development and expressed wish for strengthening bilateral relations within European associations. The Croatian Prime Minister informed his counterpart about Croatia's wish to become an EU member in the forseeable future, adding he expected Portugal's support once it takes over the chairing of the EU in the year 2000. The two officials agreed that trade between Croatia and Portugal was not satisfactory but they also said that Croatia's successful presentation at the World Exibition EXPO 98 would create opportunities for tourism cooperation. More than a million people have visited the Croatian pavilion at EXPO 98, including Portuguese President Mario Soares. (hina) rml 252153 MET sep 98