STRASBOURG, Sept 28 (Hina) - Since the beginning of the year, Croatia has achieved the most spectacular results in the area of foreign policy, although many changes have also occurred internally. In order for this trend to continue,
international assistance is necessary, Croatian President Stipe Mesic said at the Fourth Part of the Ordinary Session of the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly in Strasbourg Thursday.
STRASBOURG, Sept 28 (Hina) - Since the beginning of the year,
Croatia has achieved the most spectacular results in the area of
foreign policy, although many changes have also occurred
internally. In order for this trend to continue, international
assistance is necessary, Croatian President Stipe Mesic said at the
Fourth Part of the Ordinary Session of the Council of Europe's
Parliamentary Assembly in Strasbourg Thursday. #L#
"The changes which have taken place in Croatia do not refer only to
the internal policy sphere. The most spectacular results of which
the new Croatia can be proud have been received in foreign policy,"
Mesic said in his speech before the Parliamentary Assembly,
previously mentioning Croatia's cooperation with the
international war crimes tribunal in The Hague, its redefined
policy towards Bosnia-Herzegovina, exceptionally friendly
relations with Italy, Slovenia and Hungary, and its support to the
return of refugees.
"The new Croatia, self-confident and full of the spirit of victory,
does not fear the return of those Croatian citizens, ethnic Serbs,
who left the country and who sincerely want to integrate themselves
in Croatian society and share the destiny of their fellow
citizens," Mesic said, stressing this view was meeting resistance
of certain parts of the Croatian population. This is most evident
with respect to the re-examination of certain events related to the
Homeland Defence War.
Croatia "must have enough strength and maturity, and face the
potentially negative phenomena of our positive struggle for
freedom and independence," Mesic said.
He added Croatia needed international assistance for further
democratisation of the society and economic reforms.
"In this regard Croatia counts on foreign assistance, and this
needs no particular emphasis ... the knowledge and the capital of
foreign partners and international organisations".
Croatia does not expect charity, he stressed, rather direct foreign
investments into its natural and economic resources.
After his speech, the Croatian President answered questions from
representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly, pertaining to
Croatia's relations with neighbouring countries, the status of
national minorities, mine-clearance, the return of refugees and
displaced persons, and the freedom of media.
We are solving outstanding issues with Bosnia-Herzegovina and
Montenegro bilaterally, Mesic said. He added the most important
issues for Bosnia-Herzegovina were the fulfilment of the Dayton
Agreement and the return of refugees. Croatia has opened up towards
Montenegro, despite its formal ties with Serbia.
Croatia's great handicap remains a great part of its territory
being covered with mines.
Croatia has undertaken everything in its power for the mines to be
removed. We believe the problem will be solved with international
assistance, Mesic asserted.
A lack of freedom of the media, for which Croatia has been blamed for
a long time, is no longer the current situation, Mesic stressed.
We wish for newspapers to be independent as this is also a guarantee
of the freedom of society," he said.
Before delivering his speech at the Assembly, Mesic met Council of
Europe's Secretary-General Walter Schwimmer and chairman of the
Assembly, Lord Russel Johnston.
Mesic is the first Croatian head of state to address the CoE
Parliamentary Assembly.
(hina) lml