ZAGREB, Jan 11 (Hina) - Norwegian and Croatian parliament +representatives held talks in Zagreb on Monday about Croatia's +internal and foreign policy, the economic situation and the return +of refugees and displaced persons+ A
delegation of the Norwegian Parliament's Foreign Affairs +Committee led by chairman Haakon Blakenborg, is on a three-day +visit to Croatia.+ The Norwegian representatives on Monday held talks with +representatives of the Croatian National Sabor's foreign Affairs +Committee.+ Committee chairman Ivan Milas spoke about Croatia's regional +problems, relations with neighbouring countries, particularly +with Bosnia-Herzegovina, and with Europe.+ "Croatia is trying to normalise relations with all its neighbours, +but is coming upon a conflict of interests in an attempt to protect +the Croat people in Bosnia-Herzegovina," Milas said.+ The NATO-led Stabilisation Force (SFOR)in Bosnia-Herzegov
ZAGREB, Jan 11 (Hina) - Norwegian and Croatian parliament
representatives held talks in Zagreb on Monday about Croatia's
internal and foreign policy, the economic situation and the return
of refugees and displaced persons
A delegation of the Norwegian Parliament's Foreign Affairs
Committee led by chairman Haakon Blakenborg, is on a three-day
visit to Croatia.
The Norwegian representatives on Monday held talks with
representatives of the Croatian National Sabor's foreign Affairs
Committee.
Committee chairman Ivan Milas spoke about Croatia's regional
problems, relations with neighbouring countries, particularly
with Bosnia-Herzegovina, and with Europe.
"Croatia is trying to normalise relations with all its neighbours,
but is coming upon a conflict of interests in an attempt to protect
the Croat people in Bosnia-Herzegovina," Milas said.
The NATO-led Stabilisation Force (SFOR)in Bosnia-Herzegovina
sometimes impose their will, that is, the will of the soldiers'
home-countries, which is why peace in Bosnia-Herzegovina is not
sincere, Milas said.
"I think that a solution to problems in Bosnia-Herzegovina lies in a
completely regional approach, a great cantonal autonomy and free
trade," he stressed.
The Norwegian delegation expressed interest in problems regarding
Croatia's electoral law and television, and in the reasons why
Serbs from the Croatian Danubian region (eastern Croatia) are
seeking exile, particularly in Norway.
"Our law on television is a copy of the Austrian law. The
composition of the Croatian Radio and Television (HRT) Council
reflects the composition of the Parliament, which is the case in all
European countries," Milas said.
President of the Croatian Party of Rights (HSP) Ante Djapic said the
Council had no influence and did not use it on certain editors.
Milas refused suggestions of an electoral law according to which
national minorities would have guaranteed seats in the Parliament,
while the several times stronger diaspora would be left without a
member of parliament.
"I am against Croatia being an experimental area. Whoever suggests
anything should suggest whatever the situation is in his own
country," he added.
Djapic said Serbs from the Danubian area had no reason to be granted
political asylum in foreign countries.
Chairwoman of the Parliament's Committee for Inter-parliamentary
Cooperation, Zdravka Busic, said Croatia exerted great efforts in
observing its commitments towards the Council of Europe and the
Dayton Agreement.
Speaker of the Norwegian Parliament, Kristi Kolle Grondal, said
after the meeting the talks had been sincere and open.
Sometimes it is difficult to speak to people you do not know so well,
and we might have come with several critical questions, but I am
very satisfied with the fact that I received such frank replies, she
said.
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