GERMAN AMBASSADOR PRESENTS CREDENTIALS TO CROATIAN PRESIDENT

ZAGREB, Sept 10 (Hina) - The newly-appointed German Ambassador to Croatia, Volker Haak, presented his credentials to Croatian President Franjo Tudjman in Zagreb on Tuesday. Haak said that Germany would help Croatia in its efforts to enter European integration processes because Croatia should have a firm position in Europe. Emphasizing good relations between the German and Croatian people and positive cooperation since the establishment of diplomatic relations more than four years ago, Haak said that he would work on further strenghtening relations between the two countries. "The Republic of Croatia has so far had a great role in the establishment of new relations in this region and Germany is counting on its further participation in the implementation of the Dayton agreement," Haak said. Tudjman recalled historical, geopolitical, cultural and economic relations between the two countries, stressing that Croatia appreciated the role Germany had played in recognizing its independence. "This should also be the basis of our relations in the future," he added. Tudjman said that Croatia had always tried to pursue a constructive policy in line with its interests and the interests of Europe and the world. Croatia would continue to be constructive in resolving stability inssues in the region, including the complex problem of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Tudjman said, adding that Croatia was particularly interested in full bilateral cooperation with Germany. (hina) vm 101731 MET sep 96