ZAGREB, Feb 11 (Hina) - The European union is prepared to provide additional support to Croatia, but only when the Croatian Government achieves progress in recognising its international obligations, the European Union said in a
statement issued after a meeting of the Permanent Council of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) held in Vienna on Thursday. The meeting discussed the most recent three-monthly report of the OSCE Mission to Croatia about the fulfilment of international commitments assumed by Croatia, as submitted to the Council by the Mission chief, Tim Guldimann. "We take note of Ambassador Guldimann's appeal, both in the Mission's written reports, and in his intervention today, for the international community to increase substantially its direct support to Croatia," the statement said. "The EU's regional approach and conditionality are a cornerstone for developing relations with Croatia and, a
ZAGREB, Feb 11 (Hina) - The European union is prepared to provide
additional support to Croatia, but only when the Croatian
Government achieves progress in recognising its international
obligations, the European Union said in a statement issued after a
meeting of the Permanent Council of the Organisation for Security
and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) held in Vienna on Thursday.
The meeting discussed the most recent three-monthly report of the
OSCE Mission to Croatia about the fulfilment of international
commitments assumed by Croatia, as submitted to the Council by the
Mission chief, Tim Guldimann.
"We take note of Ambassador Guldimann's appeal, both in the
Mission's written reports, and in his intervention today, for the
international community to increase substantially its direct
support to Croatia," the statement said.
"The EU's regional approach and conditionality are a cornerstone
for developing relations with Croatia and, as it has repeatedly
stated, it stands ready to provide additional support as and when
the Government of Croatia makes progress in complying with
international commitments," the statement said.
The EU assessed Croatia had a lot to do yet until it fully adopts
OSCE's principles and commitments, as the EU estimated no progress
had been achieved in many areas.
In a statement issued after the Permanent Council meeting, the US
Mission to the OSCE added to stances about the insufficient freedom
of the media due to the Government's "inappropriate and
unacceptable controls over both the print media and television in
Croatia" by stating that the recent resignation of Hina's main
Director indicated that the situation was deteriorating.
The Croatian Government should implement OSCE's recommendations
about all problems (including amendments to the electoral law),
immediately, "well in advance of the pending Parliamentary
elections", the outcome of which, without the amendments, would be
difficult to assess as "free, fair, transparent and reflecting the
will of the Croatian people," the statement concluded.
(hina) lml mm