ZAGREB, Feb 15 (Hina) - Important obstacles have been removed for Croatia's admittance to the Euro-Atlantic integration processes, a member of the Austrian Parliament and a candidate for the new secretary of the Council of Europe,
Walter Schwimmer, said in Zagreb on Monday. Croatia is not on principle further from the European Union than other countries listed as candidates for entrance into the EU, Schwimmer said. In many fields Croatia is in a better situation than other countries in transition, the Austrian said while comparing it with Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic. I am very optimistic about Croatia, and I know that Croatia is poised to solve problems, Schwimmer said after a meeting with the Croatian parliamentary foreign affairs committee. Asked by reporters whether the election law and the freedom of media were still the hurdles for Croatia's integration, the Austrian diplomat said t
ZAGREB, Feb 15 (Hina) - Important obstacles have been removed for
Croatia's admittance to the Euro-Atlantic integration processes, a
member of the Austrian Parliament and a candidate for the new
secretary of the Council of Europe, Walter Schwimmer, said in
Zagreb on Monday.
Croatia is not on principle further from the European Union than
other countries listed as candidates for entrance into the EU,
Schwimmer said.
In many fields Croatia is in a better situation than other countries
in transition, the Austrian said while comparing it with Hungary,
Poland and the Czech Republic.
I am very optimistic about Croatia, and I know that Croatia is
poised to solve problems, Schwimmer said after a meeting with the
Croatian parliamentary foreign affairs committee.
Asked by reporters whether the election law and the freedom of media
were still the hurdles for Croatia's integration, the Austrian
diplomat said that after the Zagreb talks he had got impressions
that there was readiness to amend the election law.
I have not met any inflexible or tough stands, Schwimmer said adding
that there were different models of the election law in Europe and
that each State should choose such model on which all parties may
agree.
Commenting on the role of the Council of Europe in the current
European order, the Croatian parliamentary committee's head, Zarko
Domljan, said it was most important to strengthen the role of the
Council of Europe (COE) in the entire process of the European
integration. Domljan added that it was in particular important to
give concrete instruments to the Council of Europe in order to be
able to conduct more influential polices in the Continent.
Domljan said Croatia would give full support to Schwimmer at the
forthcoming election for the Council of Europe Secretary-General.
The other candidate for this post is the Polish Justice Minister,
Mrs. Hanna Suhocka.
(hina) jn ms