RACAN HOLDS TALKS WITH SWEDISH DEPUTY PREMIER

ZAGREB, Feb 18 (Hina) - Croatia's Prime Minister Ivica Racan on Friday morning held talks with Sweden's Deputy Prime Minister Lena Hjelm-Wallen on political changes in Croatia and the impact they have produced on the relations between Zagreb and the international community. According to the Croatian Government's statement, Lena Hjelm- Wallen voiced pleasure with the changes that had happened in Croatia in the two months in the wake of the elections. She accentuated to what had been done in the foreign policy. It is certain that such policy will stimulate donors for programmes particularly necessary for Croatia, the Swedish official added. Croatia is strategically positioned, it is a part of Central Europe and Mediterranean and would like to have a safe and stable environment, Croatian Premier Racan said. According to him, Croatia will support the regional cooperation and a transparent policy toward its neighbours, particularly toward Bosnia-Herzegovina, but Zagreb maintained its right to have an independent path in the accession to the European associations. Racan added that certain legislative acts were being in procedure of adoption which would contribute to indiscriminate return of refugees. He held that the issue of the cooperation with the Hague-based International War Crimes Tribunal and the punishment of criminals should be treated as judicial questions rather than political matter. Racan and his guest agreed that there was a high level of compatibility between Croatia's national interests and expectations of the international community. (hina) mm ms