PRESIDENT TUDJMAN RECEIVES SPANISH FOREIGN MINISTER WESTENDORP

ZAGREB, Feb 12 (Hina) - Croatian President Franjo Tudjman today received the Spanish Foreign Minister, Carlos Westendorp, who was accompanied by State Secretary for Trade Ruiz Ligero, Spanish Ambassador to Croatia Luis Felipe Fernandez de la Pena and the foreign policy secretary at the Spanish embassy, Francisco Villar, the President's Office said in a statement. #L# Following is the full text of the statement: "President Tudjman said that Croatia and Spain were European and Mediterranean countries which shared many historical and cultural similarities. The development of overall bilateral relations with Spain was of particular importance for Croatia, particularly in the context of joining the European integration processes. President Tudjman acquainted Carlos Westendorp with Croatia's view on the implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement, stressing that a just and durable resolution of the Bosnian crisis was impossible without the full support of the European Union. President Tudjman reiterated the importance of the peaceful reintegration of the Croatian Danube Area into Croatia's constitutional and legal order as the chief goal of the Croatian state policy, and the strong commitment of the Croatian leadership to breathe life into the Croat-Moslem Federation of Bosnia- Herzegovina. The Bosnian Federation was in the best interest of both nations, the Republic of Croatia, the Republic of Bosnia- Herzegovina and the European Union. Its development, however, could be ensured only if the equality of the Croatian people of Bosnia- Herzegovina, President Tudjman said. The Spanish Foreign Minister stressed that his visit to Croatia was proof of his country's interest in furthering bilateral relations with Croatia and promoting peace in the region. Spain believed in the successful reconstruction of the war-ravaged areas and wanted to take an active part in this process, Westendorp said. Stressing the important role of Spanish forces in Bosnia- Herzegovina, which constituted Spain's first step out of a long isolation in the field of multilateral activities, Minister Westendorp expressed concern over the situation in Mostar and asked President Tudjman for assistance, so that the crisis may be resolved as soon as possible. President Tudjman said he would put forth all his efforts to help find a satisfactory political settlement in the spirit of the Dayton Agreement. Also present were Foreign Minister Mate Granic, the President's chief-of-staff, Ivo Sanader, the President's foreign- policy advisor, Zeljko Matic and Croatian Ambassador to Spain Sergej Morsan." (hina) mm as 121943 MET feb 96