DEPUTY PREMIER TAKES PART IN NEW YORK DEBATE ON SOUTHEAST EUROPE

NEW YORK, May 2 (Hina) - Following parliamentary and presidential elections Croatia is attempting to step up the development of civil society institutions and strengthen the democratic system in view of achieving its strategic goals, namely integration with Euro- Atlantic structures, Croatia's deputy premier said on Tuesday. Deputy Premier Goran Granic took part in a debate on development priorities of Southeast Europe countries, organised by New York's East-West Institute as part of a day-long conference in issues concerning the region. Also taking part in the debate were Albania's President Rexep Meidani, former Bosnia-Herzegovina (BH) Premier Haris Silajdzic, and Bulgaria's Deputy Premier Petar Zotev. Granic outlined the basic guidelines of Croatia's policy, pointing to changes in connection with refugee returns, cooperation with the war crimes tribunal in The Hague, and relations with neighbouring BH. Croatia's relations with all countries in Southeast Europe are very good, except for Serbia, the deputy premier said, adding the international community's endeavours at having them formalised were superfluous. Granic believes Croatia and all other countries in Southeast Europe need support for economic progress. "We can't tell people - your situation in the future will certainly be better, but we can't help you now," he said Today's debate was followed by a closed meeting on the contents and activity of the Stability Pact for Southeast Europe, with the participation of United States Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Javier Solana, numerous officials of the State Department, the European Commission, and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe. (hina) ha mm