ZAGREB, July 23 (Hina) - The further cooperation between the Croatian Government and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the monitoring of the developments on the ground and the run-up to an election in
Croatia were main topics of Friday's talks between Croatian Minister of European Integration, Ljerka Mintas Hodak, and the recently appointed head of the OSCE mission in Croatia, Bernard Ponchet.
ZAGREB, July 23 (Hina) - The further cooperation between the
Croatian Government and the Organisation for Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the monitoring of the developments on
the ground and the run-up to an election in Croatia were main topics
of Friday's talks between Croatian Minister of European
Integration, Ljerka Mintas Hodak, and the recently appointed head
of the OSCE mission in Croatia, Bernard Ponchet. #L#
This was our first meeting, and a chance to speak about the
philosophy of our further contacts, Ponchet said after the talks
which he described as interesting.
On behalf of the Croatian Government I accentuated our wish and
readiness to cooperate openly with the OSCE, an organisation which
we have called to help us in establishing normal relations in the
Croatian Danube River area and in stimulating democratic
processes, the Croatian minister Mintas Hodak said adding that the
Government was advocating transparency in the ties with the OSCE.
The two also agreed on modalities for following the events on the
ground and for the cooperation in regular reports which the OSCE
makes about the situation in Croatia.
It was agreed that stands and facts pointed out by the Croatian
government, should be taken into consideration and that OSCE
officials would try to report, in a balanced manner, about positive
steps as well as about failures and problems which still exist,
Mintas Hodak said.
For Croatia, as a part of Europe, it is very important now to take
part in "creating such architecture of Europe which is happening
nowadays, both through the Stability Pact and through
possibilities to conclude agreements on cooperation with and
joining" the European Union, said the Croatian official adding that
her country has now an opportunity to be an active participant in
these events.
"We mustn't miss that chance," she stressed adding that the
diplomat Ponchet promised to give his support.
Minas Hodak and Ponchet also discussed this pre-election period in
Croatia.
(hina) ms