ARGENTINIAN STATEMENT ON PRESIDENT TUDJMAN'S VISIT

BUENOS AIRES, Dec 3, (Hina) - The Cabinet of the Argentinian President Carlos Menem has released a statement on Croatian President Franjo Tudjman's three-day visit to Argentina. 'It is the first visit of the first democratically elected president of Croatia to Argentina, which was among the first countries to recognise an independent Croatia and establish diplomatic relations with her,' the statement says. Tudjmans's visit to Argentina was initiated by the Argentinian president Menem's invitation. Tudjman has invited Menem to visit Croatia. The statement outlines the details of Tudjman's visit. It says that the presidents met twice - November 30 and December 2. At the meetings they analysed a series of questions from bilateral and international relations, particularly questions concerning the work of UNPROFOR's Argentinian troops, the statement says. Members of the Croatian delegation, Foreign Minister Mate Granic and Economy Minister Nadan Vidosevic, held a series of meetings with their Argentinian colleagues, the statement says, detailing the agreements that the Ministers signed Friday. President Menem bestowed upon Tudjman the high order necklace of the great liberator general San Martin. Tudjman returned the gesture and gave Menem the High Order of King Tomislav. Tudjman visited Argentinia's parliament and Supreme Court, and the Buenos Aires Town Hall. Buenos Aires and Zagreb are to become sister cities. Tudjman also met the Argentina's Croatian community, the statement said. (Hina) jn sd as 031624 MET dec 94