CRO EXPECTS NEGOTIATIONS WITH EU AFTER NEW ELECTORAL LAW - GRANIC

ZAGREB, July 8 (Hina) - Croatia expects to commence negotiations with the European Union (EU) on an agreement on stability and associate membership after adopting new electoral legislation, Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic said on Thursday after talks with German counterpart Joschka Fischer.#L# Granic told reporters in Zagreb he also expected the opening of the PHARE programme, and the commencement of negotiations on approaching NATO. German Foreign Minister Fischer, on his first visit to Zagreb, said electoral legislation, freedom of the media, and fair elections were of outstanding importance. "Germany strongly supports Croatia's endeavours to enter Euro- Atlantic integration, which presumes certain rules in economy, politics, and democracy, which apply equally to all, both EU members and candidates for membership in the EU," Fischer said. He declined to answer reporters' questions on Croatian internal policy issues. "We don't want to get involved or exert major influence," Fischer said. Croatia's Granic said he and Fischer discussed bilateral relations, the situation in the wider region after the arrival of peacekeeping forces in Kosovo, Croatia's prospects regarding Euro- Atlantic integration, the return of refugees, and cooperation with the international criminal tribunal in The Hague. Speaking about the Stability Pact for Southeast Europe, Fischer said it represented a long-term endeavour on EU's and the United States' part to include the entire south-east of Europe into the EU. "With its historical and traditional role, Croatia's prospects are very good," he said. Fischer later held talks with representatives of six Croatian opposition parties. (hina) ha jn