PRESIDENT TUDJMAN RECEIVES CREDENTIALS FROM IRISH AMBASSADOR

ZAGREB, 25 April (Hina) - Croatian President Franjo Tudjman on Thursday received credentials from His Excellency Bernard Davenport, the newly-appointed Irish Ambassador to Croatia, based in Bern, a statement from the President's Office said. #L# Ambassador Davenport said that the fact that Irish President Mary Robinson had appointed him as ambassador to Croatia confirmed friendly relations between the two countries. Bilateral relations between Croatia and Ireland had sound foundations from the moment Croatia gained independence and the two countries established diplomatic relations. However, those relations could always be improved by developing overall cooperation, Davenport added. He also stressed that Croatia, which suffered a great deal through history, in particular in the last several years, could now establish closer cooperation with the European Union and Ireland. President Tudjman said that the Croat and Irish peoples had a similar kind of struggle for independence throughout history. The Croats were one of the oldest nations in Europe who in mediaeval times had their kingdom, then lived in a community with other peoples, and now that they have an independent state, they are returning to where they belong - western Europe. The Croat and Irish peoples have largest diasporas in the world and their contribution to the development of Europe and the western world could be considerable, President Tudjman said. 'Croatia was interested in the development of overall relations with Ireland and you will enjoy our support during your service in Croatia', President Tudjman said. Present at the meeting at President Tudjman's side were also President's Chief-Of-Staff Ivo Sanader, Deputy Foreign Minister Ivan Simonovic and President's aide for foreign policy, Dubravka Plejic-Markovic. (hina) rm mm 251834 MET apr 96