GRANIC SPEAKS ABOUT CEI CONFERENCE

KARLOVY VARY, June 24 (Hina) - Croatian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mate Granic at the helm of a Croatian delegation attending a ministerial conference of the Central European Initiative (CEI) in the Slovakian town of Karlovy Vary, expressed his satisfaction because the final document in conclusion of the conference notes the need for the protection of minority rights in Yugoslavia. Granic was also pleased that in order for the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to be given access to the CEI as a successor to the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, it will need to submit a formal request and oblige to proper procedures. "It is important for Croatia, that for the first time a CEI document notes that the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia as a successor country of the former Yugoslavia, will be required to submit a request for membership to the CEI and will undergo regular procedures. It is equally important that the mentioned issue of protection of minority rights in Yugoslavia will of course relate to the Croatian minority, Granic said. He reminded that the CEI was a regional organisation which was always a forerunner in warning about the aggression in the region of the former Yugoslavia as well as being the first to offer support to the victims of that conflict. The Croatian minister expressed satisfaction that the CEI is finding its place in the implementation of the Stability Pact in south east Europe as well as in the further development of already institutionalised relations between the CEI and the EU which was initiated by Croatia during its mandate chairing the initiative. According to Granic, the EU will react positively to the CEI's motion with regard to the Stability Pact. He announced that "as early as July and no later than September, a summit is be held and the Stability Pact signed". (hina) sp