BRUSSELS: PICULA BRIEFS PRESS ON CRO. RELATIONS WITH EU, NEIGHBOURS

BRUSSELS, Feb 27 (Hina) - The European Union is demonstrating a current but also lasting interest in relations with Croatia, as best reflected in the fact that Croatia is expected to contribute to the stabilisation of the situation in Southeast Europe, Foreign Minister Tonino Picula said in Brussels on Tuesday. Speaking to Croatian reporters after meeting the European Troika as part of negotiations on a Stabilisation and Association Agreement, Picula said the EU representatives were interested in Croatia's estimate of the situation in Yugoslavia and Bosnia. "We said it is in our interest that this turbulent region stabilise for economic reasons as well as the... fact that the settlement of open issues with the neighbourhood would give us more time and energy for internal development," said the minister. He warned the EU interlocutors that the latest armed incidents in Macedonia and tension in southern Serbia indicated the possibility of negative surprises, and that it would be good to activate conflict prevention mechanisms to avoid the reoccurrence of the bad experience of the past decade. Speaking about relations with the neighbours, Picula said the EU was assured of Croatia's stabilising role in the region through a changed policy towards Bosnia. "We share a series of problems with BH (Bosnia and Herzegovina), and in some, like combating illegal immigration, the EU can help us. By asymmetrically liberalising trade, opening the Una railway, and the impending opening of a consulate in Banja Luka, Croatia has demonstrated it wants and assists a stable BH," the foreign minister said. He added Croatia would soon test Belgrade's willingness to talk. "We want to see how willing the official Belgrade is to settle open issues. If headway is made on some issues, a ministerial meeting is possible, but only if there is concrete content." Picula said Croatia would initiate finding a lasting solution to Prevlaka, the southern-most tip bordering on Montenegro to which Yugoslavia has territorial aspirations, the Croats' status in Yugoslavia, the fate of people gone missing during last decade's conflicts, the restitution of alienated cultural riches, and the establishment of money transfers. The minister added Croatia expected Yugoslavia to insist on resolving the refugee issue, and wanted Belgrade-Podgorica relations to be settled peacefully and through dialogue. Asked if the EU representatives were interested in Mirko Norac, a retired general whose arrest warrant for war crimes elicited war veterans' protests, Picula answered in the negative. He added the EU followed the events of the last two weeks, stressing he was glad they had not become a foreign affairs issue. The foreign minister said he told the EU troika 2001 was crucial for successful reforms and announced a successful summer tourist season. (hina) ha