ITALIAN PRESIDENT ARRIVES IN CROATIA FOR TWO-DAY VISIT

( Editorial: --> 8899 ) ZAGREB, Dec 16 (Hina) - Italian President Oscar Luigi Scalfaro arrived in Croatia on Tuesday evening for a two-day official visit. He received a formal welcome from Croatian President Franjo Tudjman at the Presidential Palace in Zagreb. After the reception, the two presidents retired to the presidential cabinet for talks in private. Later in the evening, President Tudjman will give a formal dinner in honour of his guest. On Wednesday, President Scalfaro will address the Croatian Parliament, meet Prime Minister Zlatko Matesa, and will again hold talks with President Tudjman, after which a presidential declaration will be issued. It is expected that the two presidents will discuss Croatia's bid to enter the European Union and NATO as soon as possible, as well as economic relations between the two countries and the issue of ethnic minorities. Croatia is expected to propose regular meetings at all levels in order to improve the relations between the two countries. (hina) vm mm 162229 MET dec 97