ZAGREB SUMMIT OF STABILITY PACT PARLIAMENTARY PRESIDENTS STARTS

ZAGREB, Sept 12 (Hina) - Croatian Sabor President Zlatko Tomcic opened a conference of parliamentary presidents from the member- countries of the Stability Pact for South-East Europe in Zagreb on Tuesday. The conference is the largest international meeting held in independent Croatia so far. #L# In his introductory speech, Tomcic expressed hope the implementation of projects aimed at establishing better links between countries in the region would start as soon as possible. These projects include the construction of strategically important traffic routes (such as the highway Rijeka-Budapest-Bratislava- Prague and the Adriatic-Ionian highway, which runs via West Europe- Ljubljana-Zagreb-Belgrade-Istanbul-Athens) and the creation of conditions for the arrival of foreign capital, which is a precondition for a new development cycle. "Croatia also expects support in intensifying the process of mine removal in its war-hit areas," he said. The role of parliamentarians in promoting democratic values is crucial, Tomcic said, calling for the promotion of cooperation and more active engagement in implementing the Stability Pact. "By organising this parliamentary summit Croatia confirms its strong commitment to regional cooperation as a precondition for speedier admission of the entire South-East Europe into the European Union. Admission means that no member of the Stability Pact is a hostage to the region but, by giving its necessary and full contribution to democracy and stability in the region, individually advances toward membership in the European Union, based on its own results," the Sabor speaker said. Commenting on the upcoming election in neighbouring Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Tomcic said that as long as the undemocratic regime of Slobodan Milosevic, which caused four wars resulting in 250,000 killed and two million displaced persons, existed, "it will not be possible to stabilise this region, nor solve the crises in Montenegro, Kosovo and Bosnia-Herzegovina and subsequently, achieve the Stability Pact goals." Attending the Zagreb summit are some 150 representatives from 45 countries and international organisations linked with the Stability Pact. Twelve delegations are led by parliamentary presidents or the presidents of parliamentary assemblies of international organisations. Croatia's delegation, headed by Sabor President Zlatko Tomcic, also includes House of Counties' President Katica Ivanisevic, House of Representatives' Vice-President Vlatko Pavletic, and MPs Zdravko Tomac, Mato Arlovic and Drazen Budisa. The meeting of parliamentary presidents continued with a plenary session. The summit ends on Wednesday with the adoption of the "Zagreb Declaration", which will confirm the participants' support for the implementation of the Stability Pact and the efforts of South-East European countries to join the EU on the basis of individual approach, as well as urge the strengthening of inter- parliamentary cooperation. The Stability Pact for South-East Europe, which was adopted in Cologne in June last year, is the most ambitious attempt of the West to introduce a lasting peace, prosperity and stability in South- East Europe so far. The Pact is aimed at strengthening South-East European countries in their efforts to promote peace, democracy, respect for human rights and economic prosperity so that they could establish stability in the region. (hina) rml