TUDJMAN RECEIVES CREDENTIALS FROM RUSSIAN, MALAYSIAN AMBASSADORS

ZAGREB, Feb 28 (Hina) - Croatian President Franjo Tudjman on Friday received credentials from the Russian Federation's Ambassador, Meceslav Ivanovic Senkevic. It was a historical truth that, especially since the 17th century, the connections between the Croatian and Russian peoples had been deep in all fields, Tudjman said. "I personally and the Croatian Government highly regard Russia's role in today's world. Without Russia, a world-power, the problems in today's world cannot be solved. We think highly of Russia's constructive role in the solving of the Yugoslav crisis and its contribution for that crisis to end as soon as possible", said the Croatian President. "I want to convince you that the Russian Federation will continue to contribute to the normalization process in the region", said Senekevic. Today Tudjman also received credentials from the Malaysian Budapest- based Ambassador to Croatia, Wan Hussain Mustapha. The establishment of full national sovereignty of the Croatian people had created conditions for the development of relations with all free countries in the world, Tudjman said, adding that this meant also a good development of all-round relations between Croatia and Malaysia. "In Malaysia we follow Croatia's progress and achievements, especially in shipbuilding and the power industry, which offers huge possibilities for future cooperation between our two countries", the Malaysian Ambassador said. Malaysia and Croatia were directing their economic orientation in line with the 21st century, he added and pointed out that Malaysia was aware of the fact that it must speed up its efforts in the technology field, and in this, Croatia's technological progress in the key fields of its economy, provided the basis for stronger cooperation. To young Croats, Malaysia offered education courses as part of its technical cooperation programme, Mustapha said, adding that possibilities of future cooperation could be attempted in tourism. (hina) ha mm 282117 MET feb 97