Zagreb, January 18, 1999 (IKA) – On January 15 at a reception held in the Presidential Palace, on behalf of the ambassadors accredited in Croatia, the doyen of the diplomatic corps in the Republic of Croatia, Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Giulio Einaudi, conveyed holiday greetings to the president of the Republic of Croatia, Dr. Franjo Tuđman. Archbishop Einaudi emphasized in his remarks that the past year had not been “without difficulties,” but was also marked by great positive Croatian achievements, both domestically and internationally. Among the significant events marking 1998, Archbishop Einaudi singled out the integration of the Croatian Danube River Valley region (Podunavlje), the signing of the Agreement on Special Relations between the Republic of Croatia and the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina, official state visits by the president of Croatia to Greece and Russia, the second pastoral visit by Pope John Paul II to Croatia, and the beatification of Cardinal Alojzije Stepinac. “Our sincere wish is for the experience of the past to serve as a lesson for all of us and for the future of Croatia and the countries we represent to be gladdened by peace and genuine brotherhood,” emphasized the apostolic nuncio in his speech.