CROATIAN PRESIDENT RECEIVES CREDENTIALS FROM PHILIPPINE AMBASSADOR

AMBASSADOR $ ZAGREB, May 23 (Hina) - Croatian President Franjo Tudjman on Thursday received credentials from Jose A. Zaide, newly-appointed Philippine ambassador to Croatia, who is based in Vienna. "The Philippines welcomes the restoration of peace and normal conditions in this region, to which Croatia has made an invaluable contribution and which has been its permanent commitment," Zaide said during the ceremony. Zaide expressed hope that the two countries would expand and deepen their trade relations. Tudjman said that he hoped that Croatia and the Philippines would develop good relations since both countries shared common goals - "peace and cooperation of all countries of the world." (hina) vm 231516 MET may 96