CROATIAN PARLIAMENT SPEAKER RECEIVES CUBAN AMBASSADOR

ZAGREB, June 11 (Hina) - Croatian Parliament speaker Vlatko Pavletic on Tuesday received the Vienna-based Cuban ambassador to Croatia, Alberto Velazco San Jose. Velazco said that of all former Yugoslav republics Cuba had had the strongest economic and cultural ties with Croatia, and now that it had become an independent and sovereign state, Cuba wanted to renew those ties. Pavletic said that Croatia was interested in good and friendly relations with most countries of the world, "particularly with those which understand the situation in Croatia and whose situation we can understand." The main area of interest for the two countries is tourism and Velazco expressed a wish that Croatia, which has a rich experience in building marinas, helped Cuba in such projects. The two officials also expressed a wish for establishment of parliamentary cooperation between their countries. During his visit to Croatia, the Cuban ambassador is scheduled to meet for talks with Education and Sport Minister Ljilja Vokic and Parliament deputy speaker Zarko Domljan. (hina) vm 111237 MET jun 96