INCOMING FINNISH AMBASSADOR TO CROATIA VISITS HDZ

ZAGREB, Oct 9 (Hina) - The secretary general and secretary for international relations of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union Party (HDZ), Ivan Valent and Tomislav Krusic, on Wednesday received the incoming Finnish Ambassador to Croatia, Elizabeth Tigerstedt-Tahtela, the party's secretariat general said in a Thursday statement. The incoming ambassador's visit represented a new approach to cooperation between Croatia and Finland, the statement said, since to date the Finnish Embassy for Croatia had its seat in Budapest. Talks focused on historical similarities between the two countries, Croatia's and Finland's role in Europe, and in particular Croatia's role in Europe in light of relations with neighbouring countries. Valent assessed the role of the HDZ in preserving stability in wider Europe as historic, while Krusic pointed out that in European bodies the HDZ cooperates with Finland. The Finnish ambassador promised to advocate a just place for Croatia in Europe. Pressures on Croatia must be taken as well-meaning, she added. (hina) ha 091811 MET oct 97