DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS BODO HOMBACH

ZAGREB, Sept 11 (Hina) - Croatian Deputy Foreign Minister Vesna Cvjetkovic-Kurelec on Monday held talks with special coordinator of the Stability Pact for the Southeast Europe, Bodo Hombach, who arrived in Zagreb for a meeting of parliament speakers of the Pact's member countries. Stressing Croatia was interested in taking part in the Pact's initiatives and projects as an active participant with the aim of contributing to the stabilisation of the Southeast of Europe, Cvjetkovic-Kurelec asserted a speedy and effective implementation of the Pact's already granted projects of "quick-start packages" was necessary, especially in economy. Cvjetkovic-Kurelec handed Hombach a letter by the Foreign Minister Tonino Picula, urging the German diplomat to support Croatia (as a member of the Partnership for Peace programme) in international financial and political institutions for granting NATO's demobilisation of military personnel programme, a Foreign Ministry statement said. The programme, funded by the World Bank, helps demobilized personnel to find employment as civilians. Including Croatia in the programme would be a strong encouragement to the country's stability and prosperity, the statement said. (hina) lml jn