ZAGREB, Nov 12 (Hina) - Representatives of the Croatian Government, diplomatic corps, international community and local authorities on Tuesday held a meeting to mark the seventh anniversary of the signing of the Erdut Agreement which
agreed, enabled and finally led to the implementation of the peaceful reintegration of the Danube River Region.
ZAGREB, Nov 12 (Hina) - Representatives of the Croatian Government,
diplomatic corps, international community and local authorities on
Tuesday held a meeting to mark the seventh anniversary of the
signing of the Erdut Agreement which agreed, enabled and finally
led to the implementation of the peaceful reintegration of the
Danube River Region. #L#
Undoubtedly, the Erdut Agreement made it possible to peacefully
reintegrate the Danube River Region in the east and allowed the
implementation of one of the most successful UN actions, Deputy
Prime Minister Ante Simonic said.
He pointed out that the region's Joint Council of predominantly
Serb municipalities (ZVO) played a significant role in that
peaceful reintegration. He announced the upcoming adoption of a law
on the protection of national minorities which would be drawn up in
line with the best European traditions in the protection of human
rights.
The Flash and Storm military operations and the peaceful
reintegration of the Danube River Region are the three most
important actions in the unification of Croatian territory, the
head of the UN Liaison Office in Croatia, Kishore Mandhyan, said.
The international community is Croatia's friend and partner and
wishes it all the best, he said, adding that Croatia's victories
were the international community's victories. The two may not
always agree but the aims are common, to lead this country into
Euro-Atlantic organisations, Mandhyan said and stressed that the
model of respect of human rights implemented in the Danube River
Region should be extended throughout the country.
US Ambassador to Croatia Lawrence G. Rossin agreed entirely with
this statement.
ZVO president Jovan Ajdukovic considers that the signing of the
Erdut Agreement was a wise act by the Croatian government and the
international community.
"The Serb community is open to any form of reconciliation. We do not
only want rights, but responsibilities and obligations as well.
With our deeds we wish to prove that we want to build a civil and
democratic Croatia that will enter the European Union," Ajdukovic
said.
Representatives of the OSCE, European Commission and prefects of
Croatia's eastern counties also attended the meeting at the
government.
(hina) sp/ha sb