GRANIC, SLOCOMBE DISCUSS CRO'S ACCESS TO PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE

ZAGREB, March 20 (Hina) - Croatian First Deputy Prime Minister Goran Granic on Monday held talks with US Deputy Defence Secretary Walter Slocombe about the process of Croatia's accession into the Partnership for Peace Programme and NATO, as well as about the situation in the region. Granic and Slocombe concurred it was in the interest of both countries that political and economic stability be achieved in Europe's south-east region, the Government's Public and Media Relations Office reported. With regards to the situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Granic stressed it was important for the Dayton Agreement to be implemented entirely and equally for all three constitutive peoples, despite the difficulties. Granic acquainted the US delegation with initiated amendments relating to a faster democratisation of the state, asserting it was the Croatian Government's political goal to assume responsibility for every Croatian citizen, notwithstanding their nationality. Slocombe hailed the new Croatian Government's efforts in internal and foreign affairs, and confirmed Croatia was enjoying the support of the United States in its democratisation processes, drawing closer to international security organisations and its endeavours to promote relations with neighbouring countries through concrete actions. (hina) lml