CROATIAN PRESIDENT MEETS C-O-E PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT

STRASBOURG, Oct 10 (Hina) - Croatian President Franjo Tudjman, who is heading a state delegation to a two-day Council of Europe summit in Strasbourg, held talks on Friday with the President of the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly, Leni Fischer. Thanking Fischer for her support, Tudjman said that she was one of the few European politicians to show understanding and extend support to Croatia at the time of international pressure. It was said that the cooperation between Croatia and the Council of Europe was developing well and that Fischer's planned visit to Croatia next spring would be an opportunity for further strengthening the mutual cooperation. Describing the latest Croatian actions as exceptionally positive, Fischer said that the Council of Europe was also interested in other issues, such as the situation with media. Tudjman explained the latest moves by the Croatian authorities, stressing that Croatia's relations with the Council of Europe, the European Union and the United States were now in conformity with Croatian strategic interests. (hina) vm 101956 MET oct 97