ZAGREB, Oct 29 (Hina) - Croatia's Premier Ivica Racan on Tuesday held talks with the Austrian parliament national council's head, Heinz Fischer, on Croatia's efforts to approach the European Union and the situation in Croatian
economy, read a statement released by the government's public relations office.
ZAGREB, Oct 29 (Hina) - Croatia's Premier Ivica Racan on Tuesday
held talks with the Austrian parliament national council's head,
Heinz Fischer, on Croatia's efforts to approach the European Union
and the situation in Croatian economy, read a statement released by
the government's public relations office. #L#
The Austrian parliamentary delegation commended Croatia's efforts
in drawing closer to European associations, the statement said.
Racan informed his interlocutors of the good macro-economic
results his cabinet had achieved. He added that this year's
budgetary deficit would be lower than planned and in 2003 it should
be at the level of Maastricht criteria.
Voicing satisfaction with the dynamics of Zagreb's fulfilment of
commitments important for admission into the European Union, Racan
pointed to the importance that achievements of every country be
assessed on an individual basis and that a country's contribution
to the stabilisation in the region be a criterion for accession.
Commenting on cooperation by Zagreb with the International
Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and the case of
General Janko Bonbetko, PM Racan reiterated that the government
would explore all legal means in an attempt to find the best
possible solution for the "Bobetko case" while cooperating with the
tribunal.
He said he expected no problems in relation to Croatia's position
and honouring of its international commitments. In this context he
stressed that Croatian domestic courts were also processing war
crimes committed by Croatians.
The Austrian delegation expressed interest in lifting of a ban on
the import of Austrian beef and cattle into Croatia, and the two
sides agreed on the set-up of a joint expert team to tackle this
issue.
Another joint team of experts is to be established to discuss the
law on damages for property confiscated during the Communist rule.
Racan and his guests agreed that Zagreb and Vienna had developed
exceptionally good and political relations.
(hina) ms