MESIC: SERBIAN PREMIER ADVOCATED CO-OPERATION WITH NEIGHBOURS

ZAGREB, March 12 (Hina) - Croatia's President Stjepan Mesic stated on Wednesday that Serbian Premier Zoran Djindjic was a pragmatic politician who knew that Serbia's place was in Europe and tried to introduce European standards into Serbian society and political life and advocated co-operation with neighbouring countries. #L# Djindjic's assassination jeopardises the process of Serbia's democratisation, Mesic said. "I hope that there are forces in Serbia that will have the strength to turn towards Europe and co- operation with their neighbours, and continue co-operating with the Hague tribunal, thus demonstrating their determination to bring Serbia closer to Europe," Mesic told reporters. Asked how the murder of the Serbian premier could affect relations between Serbia and Croatia and the situation in the region, Mesic said that Djindjic had advocated co-operation with neighbouring countries, including Croatia. "He was aware that there were open issues and that some questions could be answered only by Serbia. One such issue are Croatian citizens who went missing during the war and their trace leads to Serbia," Mesic said. The president expressed hope that the new Serbian leadership, too, would be aware of the need to co-operate with neighbours. (hina) sp rml sb