HAAK: EUROPE WILL ASSESS CROATIA SEPARATELY

SPLIT, March 14 (Hina) - The European Union will assess Croatia separately and not as it being a hostage to South-East Europe, however, in turn it expects Croatia to assist in resolving problems in this part of Europe, German Ambassador Volker Haak said on Tuesday. Speaking at a lecture on the European community's expectations of Croatia, organised by the Split Croatian-German Society in Split, Haak said the European Union expected Croatia to change from being part of the problem into part of the solution. The recent election proved that suspicions about the danger of Croatia departing from the general line of western democracies were unnecessary, Haak said, adding Croatia's active participation in the Stability Pact was the best form of cooperation in the region. Regarding the country's internal affairs, Haak said Croatia should democratise its media, establish an independent judiciary, and adjust to European Union standards. Proposing concrete solutions, Haak stressed the need to change the current Law on Telecommunications, announce verdicts reached by the highest courts, facilitate refugee return, and create an atmosphere which would be favourable for investments. The inefficiency of the rule of law on the local level is a major problem for potential investors, Haak said, adding no one abroad understood why bureaucratic obstacles were so strong. You have to solve that problem on your own and Germany has broad post-war experience and is willing to help, he said. (hina) jn rml