INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR ON PROTECTION OF MINORITIES STARTS IN ZAGREB

ZAGREB, June 10 (Hina) - The protection of national minorities is one of main indicators of a country's political development, a Croatian Vice-Premier and European Integration Minister Ljerka Mintas-Hodak said on Thursday, opening a seminar on non-government minority organisations and their role in helping minorities exercise their rights. The two-day meeting, organised by the Council of Europe and the Croatian Government Office for National Minorities, is attended by delegations from Austria, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Hungary, Italy, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Great Britain and Croatia, as well as by representatives from the Council of Europe, the federation of minority associations and experts and representatives of minority associations from Croatia. Mintas-Hodak said Croatia had been aware of the importance of the status and protection of minorities since the establishment of its independence and it through its legislation it had defined the position of minorities on the model of experience of the international community. Croatia will persevere in the protection of minority rights and the strengthening of their identity, she added. Minorities in Croatia are exercising part of their rights through non-government associations and institutions, and those organisations are in part financed by the Government, she said. The delegations attending the seminar include representatives from offices for minorities and presidents of some minority associations. They are to discuss their experience as regards the level and application of laws on national minorities and minority associations. This topic has been included in a joint work programme for national minorities of the Council of Europe and the European Commission following Croatia's proposal. The seminar will also see the presentation of a Croatian model of organisation of minority associations. (hina) rml