CRO VICE-PREMIER RECEIVES OSCE CHAIRMAN

ZAGREB, Feb 19 (Hina) - Croatian Deputy Prime Minister Goran Granic on Monday received Romania's Foreign Minister and chairman of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Dan Mirce Geoana. The talks focused on the development of a democratic and civil society, the return of refugees and revival of areas of special government care, devastated during Croatia's 1990's war of independence. Granic said the government was determined to create a democratic society with equal rights and opportunities for all its citizens, stressing there are no political nor legal obstacles for the return of refugees, the government reported. The government has voiced its stance clearly, which is that every Croatian citizen has the right to return and to chose their place of residence. Granic accentuated economic aspects of the problem of return and revival of areas of special government concern, adding assistance from the international commuting was necessary so the process could be completed as soon as possible. The vice-premier informed Geoana about preparations for a special thematic government session on return, reconstruction and revival of life in areas of special government care. Although problems persist, Croatia has shown significant progress towards Euro-Atlantic associations, Geoana said, adding the OSCE would continue to cooperate with the Croatian government so the open issues could be solved as easily and as quickly as possible. (hina) lml