CROATIA & ITALY WILL CONTINUE TO DEVELOP GOOD RELATIONS

( Editorial: --> 8927 ) ZAGREB, Dec 17 (Hina) - Croatia and Italy will continue to develop the currently good political and economic relations, and Italy will actively support Croatia's efforts to enter European and Atlantic institutions, Croatian and Italian delegations said in Zagreb Tuesday. Italian President Oscar Luigi Scalfaro arrived in Croatia for a two-day visit on Tuesday. After talks with Croatian President Franjo Tudjman, both Presidents headed official talks between the delegations of the two countries. Even though Italy is currently Croatia's first trade partner, with a USD 2.1 billion commodity exchange, the two delegations agreed there are numerous possibilities to strengthen economic cooperation. They expressed wish to fully complete the building of the Trieste-Rijeka-Zagreb-Budapest highway. After the talks, President Tudjman gave a special dinner for his Italian guests. "The relations between Croatia and Italy to date may serve as an example of good neighbourly cooperation, which contributes to an effective achievement of peace and stability in this region, and encourages integrations on our common European continent", the Croatian President said in his speech. Croatia and Italy have ensured a many-sided development to their minorities by making them a bridge of friendly relations, President Tudjman said. He expected the Italian community in Croatia will continue on this path, to which the Croat community in Italy could likewise contribute, he added. In answer to Tudjman's speech, Italian President Scalfaro said Croatia's role in the peace process in the region had been very prominent, giving a positive example in many complex situations. Scalfaro commended Croatia's cooperativeness and constructive contribution to the UNTAES mission in eastern Croatia being one of UN's biggest successes. The Italian President said the European Union as a whole, and Italy as well, positively assess Croatia's role in stabilising the situation in the region. (hina) ha jn 171134 MET dec 97