CROATIAN FOREIGN MINISTER RECEIVES PORTUGUESE OFFICIAL

ZAGREB, Oct 11 (Hina) - Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic on Friday received the Secretary of State for European Affairs at the Portuguese Foreign Ministry, Francisco Seixaso da Costa, the Croatian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Granic informed the guest, who is currently on a tour of the region, about the current situation in the country and the region, stressing that entry into Euro-Atlantic integrations was Croatia's strategic goal. "The first stop on this road is the Council of Europe," Granic said, thanking da Costa for Portugal's support of Croatian admission to this oldest European institution. Granic said Croatia hoped that negotiations on a cooperation agreement with the EU would resume soon. The two officials agreed that Croatia and Portugal had great prospects for further promoting cooperation at all levels. (hina) vm 111821 MET oct 96