REGIONAL MEETING ON GENDER EQUALITY STARTS IN ZAGREB

ZAGREB, April 26 (Hina) - Croatia's new government will do all it can to eliminate gender discrimination, Croatia's Deputy Prime Minister Zeljka Antunovic said on Wednesday opening a regional meeting on gender equality, which was organised by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) within the Stability Pact for South-East Europe. "We want to eliminate discrimination both in the legislation and practice," Antunovic said. Women deputies in the Croatian National Sabor's House of Representatives account for 20 percent and we are proud of that fact, she said, adding women had an important role in the recent political changes in Croatia. Gender discrimination in this region is the consequence of historical circumstances and it cannot vanish overnight, Antunovic added. The working table on gender equality, which operates within the Stability Pact's Working Table on Democracy and Human Rights, wishes to promote a more active role of women in politics and to encourage joint action by governments in the region, women's non- government associations, and international organisations. Promising partnership to Croatia, OSCE Mission chief in Croatia Bernard Poncet said the purpose of OSCE's activities was to increase the participation of women in politics in the region. He said he was aware of the contribution of women to the changes in Croatia. The first inaugural meeting of the working group on gender equality was held in Sarajevo in November last year. (hina) mm rml