PRESIDENT MESIC MEETS NATO PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY CHAIRMAN

ZAGREB, April 11 (Hina) - Croatia's President Stipe Mesic on Tuesday received NATO Parliamentary Assembly chairman Javier Ruperez, with whom he discussed the situation in Croatia and Croatia's integration with Euro-Atlantic structures. A stable and democratic Croatia is one of the basic elements of stability in the region and the entire Europe, Ruperez told reporters after the talks. He voiced his support to Croatia's integration with Euro-Atlantic structures, adding Croatia could become an associate member of NATO's Parliamentary Assembly now that it had been given observer status in the Assembly. President Mesic acquainted the NATO official with Croatia's situation and the problems the new authorities were facing. "We are confident NATO's assistance to Croatia will arrive relatively soon," Mesic's adviser on military issues Imra Agotic told the press, adding that according to Ruperez, Croatia could become an associate member of NATO's Parliamentary Assembly by year's end. Asked who he thought should govern the Croatian army, Ruperez said the issue should be settled in keeping with the Croatian Constitution. Ruperez is visiting Croatia on the invitation of Croatian parliament president Zlatko Tomcic. He held talks with Croatia's top officials. (hina) ha