STRASBOURG, Sept 25 (Hina) - The Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly is expected to discontinue the permanent monitoring over Croatia on Tuesday, as Zagreb has fulfilled most commitments it assumed upon the country's entrance to
the Council of Europe (CoE) in November 1996. "The Assembly concludes that Croatia has honoured its obligations and most of its commitments, and the remaining commitments are in the process of being fulfilled," read a draft resolution on Croatia adding that the Parliamentary Assembly "considers the current monitoring procedure as closed." The Assembly voices satisfaction with Croatia's cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia (ICTY). It is also glad to see Croatia's" fully transparent policy of respect for independence and territorial integrity of Bosnia-Herzegovina". In addition, the Assembly is satisfied with Croatia's
STRASBOURG, Sept 25 (Hina) - The Council of Europe Parliamentary
Assembly is expected to discontinue the permanent monitoring over
Croatia on Tuesday, as Zagreb has fulfilled most commitments it
assumed upon the country's entrance to the Council of Europe (CoE)
in November 1996.
"The Assembly concludes that Croatia has honoured its obligations
and most of its commitments, and the remaining commitments are in
the process of being fulfilled," read a draft resolution on Croatia
adding that the Parliamentary Assembly "considers the current
monitoring procedure as closed."
The Assembly voices satisfaction with Croatia's cooperation with
the International Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia (ICTY).
It is also glad to see Croatia's" fully transparent policy of
respect for independence and territorial integrity of Bosnia-
Herzegovina". In addition, the Assembly is satisfied with
Croatia's cooperation with the international community and foreign
non-governmental organisation which work in the country.
According to the draft document, refugee returns are no longer
perceived by the Assembly as a political but as a merely financial
issue, as Croatia has revoked the criticised discriminatory acts in
order to facilitate the return.
Croatia has also taken account of recommendations which the Council
of Europe gave in the modification of the election law and the law on
local self-government. CoE experts have positively assessed a
draft act on the Croatian Radio and Television (HRT).
The Assembly is glad that Croatia has ratified all the Council of
Europe conventions it had committed itself to.
The Assembly regards that now Croatia should adopt a new, integral
constitutional law on national minorities, introduce further
changes in the election law regarding minority voting and the HRT
impartiality in the run-up to elections as well as thoroughly alter
legislative provisions governing property issues throughout the
country.
Croatia should take measures to ensure more expeditious
enforcement of court rulings and "full and non-discriminatory
implementation, at both central and local level, of laws ...to
encourage the sustainable return."
After closing the monitoring process, the Assembly is to carry out
"its the post-monitoring dialogue" with Zagreb to ensure that
Croatia continues fulfilling its commitments.
In case that Croatia fails to honour its obligation, the Assembly
can re-open the permanent monitoring in Croatia, just as in any
other Council of Europe member-state.
(hina) ms