CROATIA ACHIEVED GOALS WHILE CO-CHAIRING SECURITY ROUND TABLE

ZAGREB, June 13 (Hina) - While co-chairing the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe's round table on security issues, which remains an important stability strengthening instrument, Croatia achieved the goals it set itself, a Croatian ambassador said on Wednesday.#L# Speaking at the end of a two-day conference the Pact's third round table held in Zagreb, Ambassador Vladimir Drobnjak said: "We have reached a series of conclusions confirming the... Pact remains an important instrument for the strengthening of security and stability and democratic and economic progress in Southeast Europe." Before co-chairing the third round table, Drobnjak recalled, Croatia had set itself two objectives, a stronger definition of the European Union and NATO in the Stability Pact, and the implementation of two specific projects - increasing the Pact's involvement in combating illegal migrations and organising an international fire-prevention exercise. Drobnjak said Croatia had achieved its goals, and pointed to a conclusion reached at the Zagreb conference whereby the EU continues to nominate the chair of the Stability Pact's sub-table on justice and home affairs, whereby this important Stability Pact segment has come under EU auspices. Some 250 representatives from about 60 countries took part in the Pact's third round table's fourth regular semi-annual conference, which closed with the adoption of conclusions put forward by the table chairman, Norwegian Ambassador Kim Traavik. The Zagreb conference has shown NATO's role has become bigger, according to Drobnjak. "This was best seen at the SEEGROUP conference, which is chaired by Croatia and is a significant link for joint activity among Partnership for Peace countries and others in the region in view of ensuring better ties with NATO," he said. Moreover, Drobnjak added, "Croatia received official acknowledgement and support for the 'Taming the Dragon 2002' international fire-prevention exercise, which is to be held in the broader Makarska area (southern Adriatic) next spring under the auspices of the Stability Pact and NATO." At the Zagreb conference a decision was passed to form five country- teams to combat illegal migrations and asylum. In view of strengthening the struggle against those breaking laws in said field, each country participating in the process of stabilisation and association with the EU has been teamed with EU candidates or members. Croatia's team partners are Germany, Austria and Slovenia. Bosnia teamed with Great Britain and Turkey, Yugoslavia with France, Switzerland and Hungary, Macedonia with Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Bulgaria, while Albania teamed with Greece. Drobnjak said the EU had decided to earmark EUR30 million, outside the CARDS programme, for assistance in equipping and ensuring the functioning of international border crossings in the region in view of enhancing skills in dealing with organised crime and illegal migrations. "The Zagreb conference also pointed to the need of linking authorised spending from the CARDS programme and specific projects within the Stability Pact," the Croatian ambassador said. At the conference the Czech Republic and Poland made official bids to join the Pact. Decisions will be made at an upcoming conference the Pact's regional table is to hold in Brussels. Commending the concrete results of the Zagreb conference, Norwegian Ambassador Traavik mentioned the agreement on the fire- prevention exercise in the southern Adriatic. He also emphasised the significance of projects related to combating illegal migrations and organised crime in general. In the coming months police training courses will be organised for the region's countries' forces in view of intensifying cooperation. Hungary takes over from Croatia the co-chairing of the Stability Pact's round table on security issues. (hina) ha sb