CROATIA'S EUROPEAN INTEGRATION MINISTER ON EC REPORT

ZAGREB, April 5 (Hina) - Croatia's European Integration Minister Neven Mimica said on Thursday that he was satisfied with the positive mark Croatia was given in an European Commission report on the Process of Stabilisation and Association, but added that the report also noted some basic problems, including the situation in the judiciary, and problems related to the protection of minorities and refugee return. #L# The EC yesterday released its first annual report on the progress of the stabilisation and association process. The situation in Croatia is addressed in a 33-page annex to the report, which covers five segments - political criteria, economy, the implementation of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement, financial assistance and the perception of the European Union. "The tone of the report is calm and open, and mostly positive. It is encouraging for Croatia because it creates a good atmosphere for further work... towards achieving EU standards," Mimica said in a Croatian Television (HTV) broadcast. "It also points to what must be improved - the situation in the judiciary, the rule of law, and international commitments, such as minority protection, refugee return and freedom of the media," he said. The minister added that more significant results in the judicial reform should not be expected before the end of the year because the reform "is a long process". By the end of this year Croatia must create possibilities for the return of refugees, including the construction of housing facilities and property restitution, Mimica said, adding that this required financial and organisational resources, which should be backed by the EU as well. Speaking about regional cooperation, Mimica said that "the EU has no interest in supporting, encouraging or strengthening initiatives for a Balkan union". The EC supports the economic programme and reforms, but also notes the fact that efforts invested so far have not yielded great results, Mimica said. (hina) rml