CROATIAN PRIME MINISTER RECEIVES PORTUGUESE FOREIGN MINISTER

( Editorial: --> 0313 ) ZAGREB, Dec 22 (Hina) - Croatian Prime Minister Zlatko Matesa on Monday received Portuguese Foreign Minister Jaime Gama, currently on an official visit to Croatia, the government's communications office said in a statement. Matesa spoke of the stable political situation in the country, the successful peaceful reintegration of Eastern Slavonia and the planned departure of UN troops from the region on January 15 next year. Among Croatia's foreign policy objectives, he cited strengthening the relations with the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina and joining the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA). In this regard he mentioned free trade agreements which had been signed with Slovenia and Macedonia. The aim of the Portuguese delegation's visit was to promote relations with Croatia. Gama positively assessed Croatian efforts in the process of peaceful reintegration of the Danube river region, stressing a high degree of the protection of minorities. He said that Portugal would support Croatia's efforts to join the European Union. (hina) vm 221516 MET dec 97