PENELOPE CRUZ - CRUZ'S SISTER THRILLED BY CRUISE'S NEW ROMANCE

PENELOPE CRUZ's sister MONICA is thrilled by TOM CRUISE's engagement to KATIE HOLMES - even though the Hollywood heart-throb enjoyed a relationship with her sister for two-and-a-half years.

The MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE star remains on good terms with his ex's family, so he was keen to introduce them to new fiancee Holmes while promoting WAR OF THE WORLDS in the Spanish capital Madrid last month (JUN05).

Monica says, "We had a great time. We always try to see each other when he comes over. Katie is charming - I'm thrilled for them both."

And Monica is disgusted by media reports suggesting the romance is nothing more than an intricate publicity stunt, because her sister went through a similar experience when she dated Cruise.

She adds, "People will always go around saying that - it's just like when he was with my sister."