ZAGREB/BRUSSELS, Oct 13 (Hina) - Croatia presented its annual national programme at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Monday, which is to be implemented by the autumn of 2004.
ZAGREB/BRUSSELS, Oct 13 (Hina) - Croatia presented its annual
national programme at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Monday,
which is to be implemented by the autumn of 2004. #L#
This is the country's second annual plan since it entered the
alliance's Membership Action Plan (MAP), according to a statement
from the Croatian mission to NATO in Brussels.
The Croatian delegation informed NATO Assistant Secretary General
for Political Affairs, Guenther Altenburg, and representatives of
the alliance's 19 member-states of the Croatian annual programme,
and answered their questions regarding security, defence, economy
and legislation.
According to the statement, Zagreb's programme was unanimously
assessed as a high-quality and professional document.
NATO member-states praised Croatia for the progress it had achieved
in implementing the MAP in the last 12 months. They pointed out
excellent results in the reduction of redundant military
personnel, headway in improving relations with neighbouring
countries, the reform in the judiciary and the protection of
minorities.
The deployment of a Croatian military police platoon in the ISAF
mission in Afghanistan was highlighted as one of the most important
activities, as this put Croatia into a circle of countries actively
contributing to international stabilisation and security.
The NATO member-states stressed the need for intensified
cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the
former Yugoslavia and for enhancing regional cooperation, with
Croatia playing a leading role.
NATO expressed satisfaction with the pace at which Croatia was
adopting the alliance's standards, and reiterated that its doors
remained open to Zagreb, the statement said.
(hina) ms sb