ZAGREB, March 23 (Hina) - The return of displaced people to the Croatian Danube River Area, the economic reconstruction of Croatian war-affected areas and the mine removal were main topics of talks between Vesna Skare-Ozbolt, the
Croatian President's political advisor and the head of the national confidence building committee, and Chrisitian Schmidt, a member of German Parliament. During the Zagreb talks on Tuesday, Schmidt who is the head of the German Christian Social Union (CSU) working group for foreign and internal affairs and defence and development policies at the Bundestag, wanted to learn of the economic reconstruction and social situation in Croatia. Skare-Ozbolt told him that about 36,000 Croats had so far returned to the Danube area while 52,000 Serbs returned from that area or from abroad in other parts of Croatia, read a statement released by President Tudjman's office. Apart from soci
ZAGREB, March 23 (Hina) - The return of displaced people to the
Croatian Danube River Area, the economic reconstruction of
Croatian war-affected areas and the mine removal were main topics
of talks between Vesna Skare-Ozbolt, the Croatian President's
political advisor and the head of the national confidence building
committee, and Chrisitian Schmidt, a member of German Parliament.
During the Zagreb talks on Tuesday, Schmidt who is the head of the
German Christian Social Union (CSU) working group for foreign and
internal affairs and defence and development policies at the
Bundestag, wanted to learn of the economic reconstruction and
social situation in Croatia.
Skare-Ozbolt told him that about 36,000 Croats had so far returned
to the Danube area while 52,000 Serbs returned from that area or
from abroad in other parts of Croatia, read a statement released by
President Tudjman's office.
Apart from social needs that a considerable burden to the country's
economy, the renovation of war-ravaged areas, in particular of
Vukovar, and the mine clearance posed biggest problems. In Croatia,
it is estimated that about two million landed mines have left after
the war. They are a great hurdle in the process of the return and
economic revival.
Therefore Croatia expects considerable assistance of the
international community in offering incentives to economic
reconstruction, the statement read.
The German MP stressed that his country, including Bavaria, were
willing to give more help in the reconstruction of war-affected
economy and in the clearance of mines.
The two discussed the conditions which Croatia had to meet in
approaching European integration.
Croatia is no longer a part of a hot spot, and that's why Croatia
must not remain outside integration processes, but the
international community should help the country to join them soon,
the Croatian official said.
(hina) ms