NATO ASSEMBLY REAFFIRMS INDIVIDUAL APPROACH - CRO OFFICIAL

ZAGREB, Nov 23 (Hina) - The NATO Parliamentary Assembly has reaffirmed the individual approach in the admission of new members to the European Union and NATO, the head of Croatia's parliamentary delegation at a recent NATO Assembly session in Berlin, Zdenko Franic, said in Zagreb on Thursday. "The individual approach in the expansion of the European Union has been adopted and reaffirmed and countries aspiring to join the EU and NATO will be evaluated in line with their achievements," said Franic, stressing this formulation in the resolution was adopted at Croatia's initiative. Croatia's delegation attending the NATO Parliamentary Assembly session on November 17 and 21 also included MP Ivana Sucec- Trakostanec and secretary Lavoslav Torti. The Assembly adopted a resolution on stability, peace and prosperity in South-East Europe, welcoming Croatia's democratic progress, achieved in early 2000, as well as Croatia's cooperation with the Hague war crimes tribunal and its admission to NATO's Partnership for Peace. Torti said the Assembly adopted another resolution calling on the NATO Council to start talks with all countries aspiring toward NATO membership and meeting all NATO standards by 2002 at the latest. The NATO Parliamentary Assembly includes representatives from 19 member-countries and 17 Partnership for Peace countries, who have the status of associate members. Associate members do not have the right of vote but can participate in debates of parliamentary committees and propose amendments to resolutions. (hina) rml