LONDON, Oct 20 (Hina) - The president of Croatia's Social Democratic Party (SDP), Ivica Racan, said in London on Thursday talks with British government officials focused mostly on the upcoming elections in Croatia and the possibility
of improving the cooperation between Croatia and Great Britain. Racan and his coalition partner, Drazen Budisa of the Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS), are on a visit to Great Britain. The two party leaders yesterday met Britain's Foreign Secretary Robin Cook and the Secretary of State for International Development, Clare Short. Speaking to Croatian reporters, Racan said Cook was primarily interested in the views of the SDP-HSLS coalition regarding the situation in the region, Croatia's relations with its neighbours, the situation in the country ahead of the election, and in the return of Serb refugees. "We have insisted on the already known stand that the refugee problem
LONDON, Oct 20 (Hina) - The president of Croatia's Social
Democratic Party (SDP), Ivica Racan, said in London on Thursday
talks with British government officials focused mostly on the
upcoming elections in Croatia and the possibility of improving the
cooperation between Croatia and Great Britain.
Racan and his coalition partner, Drazen Budisa of the Croatian
Social Liberal Party (HSLS), are on a visit to Great Britain.
The two party leaders yesterday met Britain's Foreign Secretary
Robin Cook and the Secretary of State for International
Development, Clare Short.
Speaking to Croatian reporters, Racan said Cook was primarily
interested in the views of the SDP-HSLS coalition regarding the
situation in the region, Croatia's relations with its neighbours,
the situation in the country ahead of the election, and in the
return of Serb refugees.
"We have insisted on the already known stand that the refugee
problem cannot be treated unilaterally, only as the return of Serbs
to Croatia, but also as the return of Croats to Bosnia-
Herzegovina", Racan said.
The talks also tackled Croatia's international commitments.
Racan said, "we, too, are aware that it (international commitments)
is what Croatia's position and reputation as well as the speed of
its integration into European associations depend on".
According to Racan, Foreign Secretary Cook expressed hope that the
elections in Croatia would be fair, which the Croatian officials
expressed optimism about. Racan said he and Budisa were "a bit more
cautious as regards criticism", bacause "we can see that questions
which have arisen following some statemenets in Croatia on the
highest state level can cause confusion to Croatia's detriment".
Concerning the possible introduction of visa requirements for
Croatian citizens by Great Britain, Racan said he and Budisa were
adamant that it would be a wrong decision and expected their visit
to help remove the visa regime threat.
The Croatian officials International Development Secretary Clare
Short ways to improve the economic cooperation between the two
countries, particularly in international financial insitutions.
Racan and Budisa also pointed to the problem of mines and told Short
they believed Great Britain was lagging bahind in providing Croatia
with assistance in the removal of mines.
(hina) rml