INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE BEGINS IN DUBROVNIK

DUBROVNIK, May 28 (Hina) - Croatian President Stipe Mesic on Monday opened a four-day international conference in Dubrovnik, entitled "Key Steps for European Integration: the promotion of peace and progress in South East Europe", with the message that permanent peace in this region is not possible without progress of individual countries and the region as a whole. The conference was organised by the Croatian International Relations Institute in correlation with Britain's Wilton Park organisation, all under the auspices of the Croatian foreign, defence and European integration ministries. Foreign Minister Tonino Picula spoke about Zagreb's views on the key steps for European integration, reiterating that Croatia's long-term goals were to join the EU and NATO, and stressing the importance of regional cooperation. During the four days, besides Croatian and foreign speakers, Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan and NATO Secretary-General George Robertson are also expected to attend the conference. President Mesic spoke with the international community's representative to Bosnia-Herzegovina, Jacques Klein, who is also participating in the conference. Klein told reporters Mesic and him spoke about Mesic's upcoming visit to Bosnia-Herzegovina, among other topics. (hina) lml sb