CRO DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS EUROPEAN COMMISSION REP

ZAGREB, April 11 (Hina) - As a part of preparations for the second meeting of a joint consulting working group of Croatia and the European Union, which is to be held in Zagreb Wednesday, Croatian Deputy Foreign Minister Vesna Cvjetkovic-Kurelec on Tuesday received director with the European Commission Administration for Foreign Policy Fabrizio Barbaso, the Croatian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. The statement read that the two parties expressed satisfaction with a more intensified political dialogue and overall relations between Croatia and the European Union. Cvjetkovic-Kurelec informed Barbaso of the implementation of conclusions of the Croatian Government dating March 2, regarding a series of activities directed at legislative reforms, the democratisation of media, the return of refugees and cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), read the statement. The Croatian Deputy Foreign Minister also informed Barbas of recent efforts Croatia had been investing in the strengthening of regional cooperation, particularly with Slovenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Macedonia, and Croatia's active participation in the Stability Pact for Southeast Europe as an important mechanism for Croatia's approaching European integration, read the statement. Barbaso reported on activities the European Commission had been undertaking which aim at the development of a feasibility study by June, regarding the beginning of negotiations on an agreement on stabilisation and association between Croatia and the European Union. (hina) it mm