CROATIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS DORIS PACK

ZAGREB, March 17 (Hina) - Croatia's Foreign Minister Tonino Picula on Friday held talks with a deputy to the European Parliament and the head of the European Parliament's delegation for southeastern Europe, Doris Pack. The talks revolved around Croatia's bids to enter the European Union and on the situation in the region. According to a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry, Picula expounded Zagreb's activities regarding the implementation of recommendations of the joint EU-Croatian consultative task force and reiterated that the Croatian Government was resolute to begin negotiations on the Stabilisation and Association Agreement this summer. Picula notified Pack on Croatia's views on the situation in Bosnia- Herzegovina and Yugoslavia and of his country's efforts to accelerate the process of the refugee return. He said the priorities of Croatia's foreign policy is to come closer to the EU and to develop good relations with its neighbouring countries, read the statement. Ahead of the coming meeting of European and Croatian parliamentarians scheduled for 3 and 4 April, Picula and Pack pointed out the importance of the inter-parliamentary cooperation in the process of Croatia's accession to the EU. Pack voiced support to the new Croatian leadership concerning the launched reforms and said she was sure that very soon Zagreb and the EU would establish the contractual relations. Commenting on the situation in the region, Pack conveyed the concern of the European Parliament about the increasing tension in Montenegro. She invited Picula to hold a speech before the European Parliament's foreign policy committee this May, and he accepted the invitation. (hina) jn ms