GRANIC ON NATO SUMMIT WORKING MEETING ON KOSOVO

WASHINGTON, Apr 25 (Hina) - Croatia has contributed and contributes to peace and stability in south-eastern Europe, in the implementation of the Dayton peace agreement in Bosnia, and in NATO's current operation regarding the Kosovo crisis, Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic said in Washington on Sunday. Granic addressed a working meeting of NATO member-countries' presidents of state or premiers and delegations of countries surrounding the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The meeting was held as part of NATO's 50th anniversary and was deputy-chaired by NATO Secretary-General Javier Solana and United States President Bill Clinton. Foreign Minister Granic spoke about Croatia's strategic commitment to take part in integration processes with Euro-Atlantic institutions as befits a democratic state. An active membership in NATO or the European Union binds member-countries to adopt standards on the internal plan which will enable them to develop mutual cooperation in a new way, he stressed. Granic reminded Croatia had already signed agreements on military cooperation with six NATO members, and added signing was impending with two others. In his official address at the meeting, Slovene Premier Janez Drnovsek directly asked that Croatia be included in NATO's Partnership for Peace programme, while British Premier Tony Blair said European movements should have room for Croatia and Bosnia- Herzegovina, as well as for a democratic Serbia in the future. Opening today's meeting, Solana expressed gratitude to the assistance, support and cooperation the countries neighbouring Yugoslavia have given NATO in its action against the Serbian regime. President Clinton said the neighbouring countries had exposed themselves to the danger of becoming victims of the Serbian aggression, but pointed out that had not weakened their resolve to support the protection of basic civilisational values. We will help the countries in south-eastern Europe build a better future, the U.S. President said. Both Clinton and Solana said NATO would strengthen and further its ties with the countries in south-eastern Europe. Greek Premier Costas Simitis said that every country, upon admission to NATO, should be assessed according to its individual achievements, and not as part of a regional or similar "package". Prior to the meeting, the attending Croatian delegation, including Deputy Defence Minister Kresimir Cosic and Ambassador to the U.S. Miomir Zuzul, held bilateral meetings with leading NATO statesmen. Longer talks were held with Blair and Clinton, Czech President Vaclav Havel and Italian Premier Massimo D'Alema. (hina) ha