CROATIA IS STABILITY FACTOR IN REGION -- CANADIAN FOREIGN SECRETARY

OTTAWA, May 22 (Hina) - Croatia has made significant steps and has become a factor of stability in the region, Canadian Foreign Secretary John Manley said today in Ottawa after talks with his Croatian counterpart Tonino Picula. At a joint news conference the two ministers expressed satisfaction with the two countries' relations, and voiced wish that they develop in all areas. Picula said he initiated the issue of expanding economic relations. "Canada can be significantly more represented economically in Croatia." He thanked his hosts for their support to Croatia during the process in entering NATO's Partnership for Peace programme. He assessed the two countries can through cooperation contribute to the development of democracy in the region. Asked about Croatia's request for the extradition to Croatia of Josip Budimcic, tried in Croatia and found guilty in absentia for war crimes against Croatians in Eastern Slavonia, Manley recalled the two countries do not have a signed extradition agreement, but added this was a specific situation and the very serious accusations make it necessary for a way to be found to grant Croatia's requests. Budimcic has been living in Canada since 1995, and has denied any responsibility for the crimes. Manley, who is visiting Belgrade at the end of this month, said he would warn the local authorities and demand that former Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic be extradited top the international war crimes tribunal in The Hague. (hina) lml