PETERSEN: DENMARK SUPPORTS NEW CRO GOVT'S EUROPEAN ORIENTATION

ZAGREB, March 15 (Hina) - Denmark's Foreign Minister Niels Helveg Petersen said in Zagreb on Wednesday his country supported the programme and European orientation of the new Croatian government. Following talks with Croatian Foreign Minister Tonino Picula, Petersen said his country supported the ambitious programme of reforms of the new government and would strongly support Croatia's integration into European structures. With this statement Denmark joins the countries whose officials have been expressing support for the new Croatian government in Croatia and Europe over the past few weeks. Petersen said Denmark supported Croatia's admission to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and believed NATO should always be an open organisation. The Danish official announced the arrival of Danish business people in June, who should investigate the possibility of improving the economic cooperation between the two countries. Picula said Croatia had a clear goal - "to join this year the circle of those countries which stand the best chance of joining Euro- Atlantic integration processes." He reiterated Croatia would support stability in the region, but also an individual approach to each country in the region. Asked whether there would be changes in Denmark's visa regime for Croatian citizens, Petersen said the visa regime would remain but with somewhat less strict criteria. (hina) mm rml