CROATIAN AMBASSADOR HANDS CREDENTIALS TO YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT

BELGRADE, Feb 5 (Hina) - Croatian Ambassador Zvonimir Markovic handed his credentials to Yugoslav President Zoran Lilic on Wednesday. "I'm deeply confident that with this solemn act today we are creating a sound basis on which we will be able to build good neighbourly relations between the two sovereign and independent countries to the mutual benefit of the Croatian and Serbian people and their respective states," Markovic said. Markovic noted that the peace and welfare of the whole region depended on good relations between Croatia and Yugoslavia. Lilic stressed the importance of good relations between the two countries for the preservation of peace and stability in the region. After the ceremony, Lilic and Markovic had a brief conversation. Upon arrival at the Croatian Embassy in Belgrade's Dedinje district, Markovic hoisted the Croatian flag outside the building. (hina) vm mm 051534 MET feb 97