CROATIA TO ATTEND ADRIATIC INITIATIVE FOUNDING CONFERENCE

ZAGREB, May 15 (Hina) - A Croatian delegation headed by Foreign Minister Tonino Picula will attend a conference on the development and security of the Adriatic and Ionian Seas in Ancona, Italy, on May 19 and 20, Croatia's Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Monday. This will be the founding conference of the Adriatic Initiative, which Italy launched in mid-1998 via its diplomatic representatives in countries along the Adriatic in view of developing good neighbourly relations, and stability and security in the Adriatic and Ionian region. All countries with access to the two seas would become members of the Initiative: Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY), Albania, and Greece. To date the key obstacle in launching the Initiative has been the issue of FRY's membership. Croatia believes that in line with the formula of the Stability Pact for Southeast Europe and in view of the Adriatic aspect of the Ancona conference, the conference could consider the possibility of inviting FRY's Republic of Montenegro to join. According to announcements, areas of cooperation within the impending conference should comprise environmental protection, economy, tourism, transportation, the evaluation of the cultural heritage, universities, border security, and fighting every form of illegal activity. (hina) ha mm