PRESIDENT TUDJMAN HANDS CREDENTIALS TO AMBASSADOR BERKOVIC

( Editorial: --> 4158 ) ZAGREB, 27 Nov (Hina) - The Croatian President Franjo Tudjman on Thursday presented credentials to Svjetlan Berkovic, the outgoing head of the Foreign Ministry Diplomatic Academy, appointing him the first Croatian Ambassador to Israel. Croatia's relations with Israel are of special interest for Croatia, because of Israel's important role in the Middle East and world. President Tudjman expressed hope that Ambassador Berkovic would perform his duties to the benefit of the Croatian people and contribute to the development of friendly relations between the two countries. Croatia was interested in exchanging experiences with Israel, and in developing overall relations in all fields, especially economic and tourism, President Tudjman said. Ambassador Berkovic said that diplomatic representation of Croatia and its leader was a great honour and responsibility for him. This referred especially to Israel, whose importance in international relations exceeded its size by far, he added. (hina) jn rm 271732 MET nov 97