ZAGREB, March 4 (Hina) - Croatian President Stjepan Mesic on Tuesday received Walter Schwimmer, Council of Europe secretary-general, who congratulated him on the candidacy Croatia recently submitted for European Union membership,
Mesic's office said in a statement.
ZAGREB, March 4 (Hina) - Croatian President Stjepan Mesic on
Tuesday received Walter Schwimmer, Council of Europe secretary-
general, who congratulated him on the candidacy Croatia recently
submitted for European Union membership, Mesic's office said in a
statement. #L#
Schwimmer voiced confidence Croatia would be able to make up for
lost time in terms of EU entry and that it would become a full member
in 2007.
Mesic said everybody realised Croatia's candidacy would be an
illusion if the country failed to start resolving the issues which
currently posed a hurdle on its road into Europe. He singled out the
return of all displaced and refugees, the treatment of minorities,
and the transformation of state television into a public
institution.
The President stressed the need to fully cooperate with the U.N. war
crimes tribunal in The Hague. He also said Croatia was willing to
intensify regional cooperation, adding that before joining the EU
it must solve all open issues with its neighbours.
Schwimmer agreed with Mesic's estimates and applauded the policy
Croatia had been leading since the January 2000 elections. He
announced a Council of Europe summit for next year at which he hoped
to greet Mesic.
(hina) ha sb