WASHINGTON, April 23 (Hina) - NATO is resolute to defeat the Serbian regime in order to preserve its credibility and protect fundamental values it advocates - democracy, human rights and freedom, said Croatian Foreign Minister Mate
Granic in Washington. Granic, who is heading a Croatian delegation at working meetings within NATO's summit on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the western alliance, on Thursday participated in the working dinner which U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright held for foreign ministers of countries in the neighbourhood to Yugoslavia (Serbia/Montenegro). The talks at the dinner focused on a period which should ensue after the end of the current conflict and on the post-Milosevic era in Serbia and Montenegro. NATO member-states, particularly the United States, would like to help south-eastern Europe and give incentives to further democrati
WASHINGTON, April 23 (Hina) - NATO is resolute to defeat the Serbian
regime in order to preserve its credibility and protect fundamental
values it advocates - democracy, human rights and freedom, said
Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic in Washington.
Granic, who is heading a Croatian delegation at working meetings
within NATO's summit on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the
establishment of the western alliance, on Thursday participated in
the working dinner which U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright
held for foreign ministers of countries in the neighbourhood to
Yugoslavia (Serbia/Montenegro).
The talks at the dinner focused on a period which should ensue after
the end of the current conflict and on the post-Milosevic era in
Serbia and Montenegro.
NATO member-states, particularly the United States, would like to
help south-eastern Europe and give incentives to further
democratic and economic development as well as to the mutual
cooperation. The Alliance's summit is expected to adopt a special
statement on the matter.
The United States and other member-countries of the Alliance, as
well as international institutions, are willing to give political
and financial assistance in such development, Albright said.
Croatian Foreign Minister said the idea about establishing a
Greater Serbia, which caused suffering in his country, Slovenia,
Bosnia-Herzegovina and now in Kosovo, had to be defeated. Granic
agreed with the stand that all countries in the south-east of Europe
should be included into Euro-Atlantic integration processes.
Being integrated countries they will be able to cooperate mutually
in a successful manner, he explained.
This dinner, present at which were Albright's associates and State
Department officials in charge of the European south-eastern area
and the Balkans, was an occasion to mention the Prevlaka issue and
the recent incident.
Croatia received commendations because it had asked for the UN
Security Council support in its response to the incursion of the
Yugoslav army into the demilitarised area, Granic said.
According to the minister, it is important that Croatia has been
officially invited to take part in some working meetings organised
as part of NATO's summit.
(hina) ms