ZAGREB, Oct 29 (Hina) - Croatian President Franjo Tudjman on Friday night returned to Zagreb from a two-day official visit to the Holy See and Italy. He described his visit as very successful and having a wider meaning. Following an
audition with Pope John Paul II, Tudjman and Holy See Secretary Cardinal Angel Sodano opened the exhibition "Croatians - Christianity, Culture, Art" in The Vatican. Tudjman also held talks Friday with Italian President Azegli Ciampi. Tudjman said the fact that the Vatican had at the end of the second millennium, provided Croatia with the opportunity to present itself to the world had a deep significance and meaning. "This means that Croatia in this and such a world, in this and such a situation has a special place and that the Christian world and the Holy See give special importance to Croatia," Tudjman said. He said it was a very rare case that Vatican officials who attended all meeting
ZAGREB, Oct 29 (Hina) - Croatian President Franjo Tudjman on Friday
night returned to Zagreb from a two-day official visit to the Holy
See and Italy.
He described his visit as very successful and having a wider
meaning.
Following an audition with Pope John Paul II, Tudjman and Holy See
Secretary Cardinal Angel Sodano opened the exhibition "Croatians -
Christianity, Culture, Art" in The Vatican. Tudjman also held
talks Friday with Italian President Azegli Ciampi.
Tudjman said the fact that the Vatican had at the end of the second
millennium, provided Croatia with the opportunity to present
itself to the world had a deep significance and meaning.
"This means that Croatia in this and such a world, in this and such a
situation has a special place and that the Christian world and the
Holy See give special importance to Croatia," Tudjman said.
He said it was a very rare case that Vatican officials who attended
all meetings with the Croatian delegation had expressed "undivided
support to Croatia, Croatia's efforts and achievements".
Tudjman said the exhibition had a wider meaning and all Croatians in
the country and abroad must be aware "of what we have achieved,
which did not come by by accident, but is the result of work," and
achievements in Croatia itself and its role in the world.
Speaking about his meeting with Italian President, Tudjman said a
high level of harmonisation in relations was reached, despite the
fact that Croatia and Italy do not have equal views of Europe and the
world.
Croatia has confirmed to Italy its stance that nobody could ever
again be able to force it into Balkan associations, Tudjman said,
adding Italy could respect this standpoint.
There are opinions in Italy that "through smart politics, Croatia
could overcome differences" between eastern and western
Christianity and the Islam component, creating a "multi-cultural
society which would be able to coexist without contrast," Tudjman
said.
In opposition to such views, there are "realistic" opinions in
Italy, Tudjman said, concluding that Croatia would face great
efforts to contribute to the strengthening of the international
order.
Asked whether he, during talks in the Vatican, discussed a change in
the date of the upcoming elections which some church circles
described as unfavourable, as the date is very close to the
Christmas holidays, Tudjman said the Church did not oppose the
date, but is of the view that the parliamentary elections should not
be held in the Christmas week.
"The 22 (of December) is not in the Christmas week (...) and is not a
day which could disturb the Christmas holidays as some political
dilettantes said," Tudjman stressed.
(hina) lml