SEOUL: MINISTER PICULA ATTENDS CONFERENCE ON DEMOCRACY

ZAGREB/SEOUL, Nov 11 (Hina) - The second ministerial conference "Democracy - Investment for Peace and Progress" started in Seoul on Monday, with participation of Croatian Foreign Minister Tonino Picula, a spokesman for the Croatian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. #L# The conference was opened by the President of the Republic of Korea, Kim Dae-jung, while UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo, Czech President Vaclav Havel and the leader of Myanmar's Opposition, Aung San Suu Kyi, addressed the conference via video link, Picula said in a phone interview with Hina. The first day of the conference included sessions by four working tables, Picula said, adding that he participated in the second working table - on regional cooperation in the function of promoting democracy. "Democracies are important for stability and security, which is particularly important when the world is facing terrorism and great poverty, inequality and lack of development," Picula said in his speech. Meeting democratic criteria is one of the most important conditions for membership in Euro-Atlantic associations. "Croatia wants to democratise itself and its neighbours because it is a precondition for membership in Euro-Atlantic associations, which is something we have committed ourselves to voluntarily," Picula said. Croatia has been undertaking a number of measures to promote democracy, including those related to the prevention of corruption, strengthening independence of the media and securing the highest international standards in the field of human rights, reads the Foreign Ministry's statement. Addressing the gathered, Picula said that Croatia attached special importance to common problems in countries in transition regarding democratic management - the strengthening of the rule of law, support for civil society activities and the creation of an atmosphere favouring democratic development. (hina) rml sb