CROATIAN FOREIGN MINISTER RECEIVES NEW HEAD OF UNHCR MISSION

ZAGREB, Feb 8 (Hina) - Croatia's Foreign Minister Tonino Picula on Tuesday received the incoming head of the UNHCR mission in Croatia, Robert Robinson. At the meeting, the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) official thanked Picula for the current very good cooperation in the field of resolution of humanitarian issues and the return of refugees. He also thanked for Croatia's engagement in all aspects of the work of the Stability Pact for South-Eastern Europe, read a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry. Robinson acquainted Picula with a UNHCR plan for the return of Croatian refugees who are now settled in Yugoslavia. The plan will be presented at the Budapest meeting of the first working table on democratisation and human rights within the Stability Pact, slated for 21 and 22 February. Picula informed the new UNHCR mission's head that the Croatian Government had on Tuesday completed a programme of its work for the coming four years, and accentuated the resoluteness of new authorities to create a new identity of Croatia abroad. The foundations of this policy are in the consistent application of democratic standards in the country, and in this context an important element is to support the return of refugees. The problem of the refugee return is very broad and it is not enough to have only a political decision. All conditions, from social to cultural and particularly economic ones, should be created for this purpose, Picula told the UN representative, adding that his country backs UNHCR plans in this area. Picula said Croatia would continue to cherish its identity as a central European and Mediterranean country, but being also aware of its obligations toward the neighbouring region in the south-east of Europe, Zagreb would try to improve its ties with all neighbourly countries and advocate the respect of human rights everywhere. (hina) mm ms