ZAGREB, Sept 29 (Hina) - Members of the Article 11 Commission on Wednesday visited the Petrinja area, 70km south-east of Zagreb, where they met local and county officials to discuss the implementation of international assistance
projects aimed at the reconstruction of houses and the promotion of refugee and displaced person return programmes. The Commission said in a statement its members visited Pecki and Gornja Bacuga, villages where projects on the reconstruction of houses and the municipal infrastructure are being implemented with international community financing. In Pecki, mostly populated by Croatian returnees, Commission members and representatives of the Croatian Government, the European Union (EU), and local authorities attended the handing of house keys to five Croatian families. The EU-financed international reconstruction projects envisage another ten houses in Pecki. In Gornja Ba
ZAGREB, Sept 29 (Hina) - Members of the Article 11 Commission on
Wednesday visited the Petrinja area, 70km south-east of Zagreb,
where they met local and county officials to discuss the
implementation of international assistance projects aimed at the
reconstruction of houses and the promotion of refugee and displaced
person return programmes.
The Commission said in a statement its members visited Pecki and
Gornja Bacuga, villages where projects on the reconstruction of
houses and the municipal infrastructure are being implemented with
international community financing.
In Pecki, mostly populated by Croatian returnees, Commission
members and representatives of the Croatian Government, the
European Union (EU), and local authorities attended the handing of
house keys to five Croatian families. The EU-financed
international reconstruction projects envisage another ten houses
in Pecki.
In Gornja Bacuga, the international community is assisting in the
reconstruction of 31 Serb returnee houses.
Residents of both villages acquainted the Article 11 Commission
with the continued difficulties in power and water supply.
The Commission says in its statement that, despite the difficulties
and the evident consequences of war destruction in the region,
international community and Croatian Government efforts to
eliminate the damage were staring to bear fruit.
The statement reminds that the EU, the United States, and other
international donors are currently providing millions of dollars
for the reconstruction of houses and the infrastructure, and mine-
clearing. The Article 11 Commission "reaffirmed its commitment to
equal access to reconstruction assistance, regardless of ethnic
background, and looks forward to sustained cooperation with the
Croatian government."
During talks with representatives of municipal and county
authorities, the Petrinja Housing Commission, and returnee
representatives, the Commission pointed to the necessity of
"accelerated efforts to resolve property issues that continue to
serve as obstacles to return and national reconciliation."
The Article 11 Commission assessed the Petrinja Housing Commission
"has made considerable progress." Out of 944 property repossession
requests, the Petrinja Housing Commission returned the property of
444 returnees, including 421 Serbs and 23 Croats.
The Article 11 Commission encouraged the Petrinja Housing
Commission to address more difficult cases in the future.
The Commission also called on the Croatian Government to double its
efforts to ensure that reconstructed houses be made fully
habitable, including through the provision of necessary public
services, to advance returns and vacate currently occupied houses
for their owners.
The Article 11 Commission is composed of international ambassadors
who follow the implementation of an agreement on the peaceful
reintegration of Croatia's Danube River Region.
(hina) ha jn