VINTHER URGES STEPS TOWARDS GREATER TRUST IN CROATIAN JUDICIARY

ZAGREB, June 8 (Hina) - European Commission (EC) special envoy Per Vinther on Tuesday told reporters in Zagreb it is necessary to take steps aimed at ensuring greater trust in the Croatian judiciary and its greater transparency. Vinther briefly spoke to the press after talks with Croatian Justice Minister Zvonimir Separovic at which he submitted a written EC report on the conditions of Croatian-European Union relations. The report, among else, speaks of the need of achieving a better distribution of authority, i.e. the independence of the judiciary, and outlines things which Croatia should work on, Vinther said. During the talks with Separovic, Vinther said he pointed to the necessity of higher transparency and of taking steps towards establishing deeper trust in Croatia's judiciary. The talks also discussed the possibility of specific EC assistance in training programmes for judges and other judiciary staff in Croatia. Details will be worked out in the future. According to Justice Minister Separovic, the talks focused on the independence of the judiciary in Croatia. The minister acquainted Vinther with "the situation in the Constitution, the legislation, and in practice. Separovic said in Croatia "everything is being done to make the judiciary truly independent." "We have all the preconditions to ensure an independent judiciary as one of three parts of state authority," Separovic said. (hina) ha