ERDEM SAYS CROATIA KNOCKING ON NATO'S DOORS

ZAGREB, March 3 (Hina) - Croatia is knocking on NATO's doors, and a decision on the country's status can be expected at the summit in Istanbul, the head of the Security Subcommittee of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, Vahit Erdem, said in Zagreb on Wednesday.#L# Croatia, as well as Macedonia and Albania, are knocking on NATO's doors, Erdem said adding that a decision regarding the enlargement of the Alliance will be adopted at the summit in Istanbul in June. We expect a decision on Croatia's status to be adopted as well, Erdem said in the Croatian Defence Ministry where he held talks with Minister Berislav Roncevic and his associates. A delegation of the Security Subcommittee of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly is on a three-day visit to Croatia. On Tuesday the delegation met Prime Minister Ivo Sanader and Parliament President Vladimir Seks. Earlier today, the NATO delegation met with Foreign Minister Miomir Zuzul. During the talks we received assurances about Croatia's determination to continue implementing reforms aimed at the modernisation of the country and drawing closer to international standards, Erden said. I believe that we have received satisfactory answers to our questions, he added. Minister Roncevic confirmed Croatia's commitment to implement reforms aimed at meeting the set objectives -- full membership of NATO and the European Union. Addressing reporters, Croatian Defence Minister Roncevic dismissed media speculations that NATO had objected that politics in Croatia was interferring in the Defence system reform too much. "In my opinion these are mere speculations. I didn't hear one official objection that the politics was interferring too much, quite contrary actually, politics mustds jave a civil supervision over the armed forces," Roncevic said. According to a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry Minister Zuzul informed members of the NATO delegation of Croatia's achievements in preparartions for NATO membership. (Hina) it sb