REPORT ON CROATIA PRESENTED TO OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL IN VIENNA

VIENNA, Nov 21 (Hina) - The OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna on Thursday considered a report on Croatia submitted by the head of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe's Mission to the country, Peter Semneby. #L# Ambassador Semneby pointed to the improved climate and relations between the Croatian government and the OSCE Mission. Numerous projects are being jointly worked on, but there are several issues from the Mission's mandate that need to be resolved, he said. These are related to refugee returns, the adoption of a constitutional law on the rights of minorities, the completion of frameworks for media laws, and the resumption of the reform of the judiciary. Most delegations to the Permanent Council applauded the improved cooperation between the OSCE Mission and the Croatian government. They expected the open issues would be resolved soon so that Croatia might accelerate its progress towards Euro-Atlantic integration. The Croatian delegation to the OSCE, which is headed by Ambassador Vladimir Matek, also welcomed the progress achieved and the Mission's work in the field. Matek announced Croatian Foreign Minister Tonino Picula would attend a session of the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna on December 12. (hina) ha sb