WEU TO PROVIDE HELP TO CROATIAN MINE ACTION CENTRE

ZAGREB, April 22 (Hina) - Croatia and the Western European Union (WEU) on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding, according to which the WEU would provide technical and advisory assistance to the Croatian Mine Action Centre. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed at the Brussles-based WEU headquarters by Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic, the WEU Secretary-General, Jose Cutilheiro, and the Permanent Representative of the German WEU Presidency, Ambassador Rolf Hofstetter. The agreement aims at establishing the WEU De-mining Assistance Mission (WEUDAM) in Croatia. The purpose of the mission is to provide advice, technical expertise and training support to the Republic of Croatia Mine Action Centre. The WEU Permanent Council has approved the designation of Sweden as lead nation for the mission, the WEU said in a statement. According to the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Croatia at the WEU, the WEU will promote cooperation between Croatia and WEU member-countries in obtaining de-mining equipment. Also included in the memorandum is the mission's status in Croatia - immunity, privileges and duties of its members. Later in the day, the Croatian Foreign Minister is to depart for Washington D.C., where a NATO summit is to be held between April 23 and 25. Granic will attended a meeting between NATO and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia's neighbour countries. (hina) it jn/rml