PRESIDENT TUDJMAN SPEAKS TO LITHUANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER

( Editorial: --> 8357 ) ZAGREB, Oct 14 (Hina) - Croatian President Franjo Tudjman on Wednesday spoke with Lithuanian Foreign Minister Algirdas Saudargas regarding political and economic cooperation between Croatia and Lithuania. During the talks, President Tudjman and Minister Saudargas emphasised that the two countries needed to utilise the current possible scope for economic development and cooperation, particularly with regard to tourism. Minister Saudargas spoke to President Tudjman about the political and economic situation in Lithuania and its immediate surroundings. President Tudjman stressed that at the beginning of the nineties, both countries renewed their statehood. Lithuania fortunately achieved this in a peaceful way whereas Croatia experienced a brutal aggression and was faced with destruction and occupation of parts of its territory. The talks were attended by other Croatian dignitaries including Premier Zlatko Matesa, the newly nominated President's Chief-of- Staff Ivica Kostovic and Foreign Minister Mate Granic. (Hina) sp jn / 141643 MET oct 98