GRANIC: RULE OF LAW - FOCUS OF PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN

ZADAR, Jan 10 (Hina) - "I believe that I can perform presidential duties in an honourable, responsible and professional manner. I believe I can win the election and my optimism is based on the fact that I have a clear vision of Croatia in the 21st century as well as the necessary stability, knowledge, and qualifications," Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) candidate in the presidential election Mate Granic told an electoral rally in Zadar on Monday. Granic said the public was acquainted with his activities in the past eight years, including his care for war victims, displaced persons, soldiers and invalids. He added that he had been the chief negotiator in the adoption of the Dayton and Washington Agreements and the signing of the Split Declaration and had diplomatically prepared operations 'Flash' and 'Storm' as well as the peaceful reintegration of the Croatian Danube region. "Croatia's territorial integrity and sovereignty will never again be jeopardised," Granic said. Granic's campaign will focus on the functioning of the rule of law and equality of all citizens before the law, as well as on human rights and media freedom according to the best European standards, and on Croatia's accelerated integration into NATO and the European Union. Another important issue is the care for young people, Granic said. "I will have a simple small office, without a parallel government, and I will support parliamentary democracy in which the President's powers will be clearly defined. The President should be the symbol of unity, the man who will be accepted by the world and that is where I have the advantage over other candidates. I promise that Croatia will during my mandate enter NATO and the EU and that the agreement on the Partnership for Peace will be signed as early as this year," Granic said. (hina) rml