ZAGREB, Sept 4 (Hina) - Members of the EastWest Institute's Advisory Committee for Southeast Europe held talks in Zagreb on Monday with Croatia's parliamentarians on the latter's position on the Stability Pact for Southeast Europe and
views on how to enhance its effectiveness. The EWI delegation, headed by Finland's former president Martti Ahtisaari, held the talks with bench representatives in the Croatian National Parliament's House of Representatives and House of Counties, and representatives of the government. Yesterday, the delegation held talks with Croatia's President Stipe Mesic. EWI was established in 1981 and is based in New York. It is the partner of numerous governments and organisations, including the World Bank. The institute's report and evaluations will significantly influence new investment in the region, Croatia included. EWI vice president Istvan Gyarmati said today the inst
ZAGREB, Sept 4 (Hina) - Members of the EastWest Institute's
Advisory Committee for Southeast Europe held talks in Zagreb on
Monday with Croatia's parliamentarians on the latter's position on
the Stability Pact for Southeast Europe and views on how to enhance
its effectiveness.
The EWI delegation, headed by Finland's former president Martti
Ahtisaari, held the talks with bench representatives in the
Croatian National Parliament's House of Representatives and House
of Counties, and representatives of the government. Yesterday, the
delegation held talks with Croatia's President Stipe Mesic.
EWI was established in 1981 and is based in New York. It is the
partner of numerous governments and organisations, including the
World Bank. The institute's report and evaluations will
significantly influence new investment in the region, Croatia
included.
EWI vice president Istvan Gyarmati said today the institute's
priority project was the preparation of a strategy for the
Stability Pact's third round table, on democracy and human rights.
Through direct contact, EWI's delegation is trying to listen to the
needs of countries in the region, compiling its own and evaluations
by West Europe and the United States, said Gyarmati, adding the
delegation's report would be ready towards year's end.
According to Social Democratic Party bench president Mate Arlovic,
Zagreb is happy a step forward has been made within the Stability
Pact, at the instigation of Canada and some other states, in terms
of comprehending the need of consulting the region's countries.
Arlovic said he was happy today's talks confirmed once again there
was "no reason to fear from the regional approach to European
integration, because the individual approach has been confirmed
for each country."
Croatia's MPs clearly indicated Zagreb was willing to lead in the
return of all refugees and displaced persons, with the government's
endeavour to legislate all necessary prerequisites.
According to Arlovic, political good will does exist, but funds are
lacking. He pointed to the need of multilateral returns, adding
Zagreb had requested pressuring neighbouring Bosnia-Herzegovina
to make such returns possible.
(hina) ha jn