SANADER MEETS NORWEGIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY OFFICIAL

ZAGREB, Oct 19 (Hina) - Croatia's Deputy Foreign Minister Ivo Sanader on Tuesday met in Zagreb the state secretary at the Norwegian Foreign Ministry, Janne Haaland Matlary, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. The two officials agreed that relations between the two countries were good and that there was room for improving them, especially in the field of economy. Sanader informed the Norwegian official about the current situation in Croatia, with emphasis on the strategic guidelines of Croatia's foreign policy - the country's admission to European and trans-atlantic political, security, and economic integration processes. Croatia has actively joined in the preparation and implementation of the Stability Pact, which it sees as an acceptable model of establishing permanent stability in its neighbourhood, Sanader said. He added the election law would be adopted timely and that the Government, as well as the ruling party, would do all in their power so that the elections were organised in line with European standards. Matlary agreed with Croatia's perception of the Stability Pact and informed Sanader about the return of Croatian citizens of Serb nationality, who had sought asylum in Norway. She reiterated the stand of her government that the returnees were economic and not political emigrants and announced her government's help to Croatia in reconstruction. At the end of the meeting, Sanader asked the Norwegian government to consider withdrawing the temporary suspension of an agreement on the cancellation of visa requirements for Croatian citizens. (hina) rml