ZAGREB, Oct 21 (Hina) - MPs of the Croatian National Parliament House of Representatives on Thursday supported, with a majority of votes, Foreign Minister Mate Granic's report on the Stability Pact for the South-East of Europe,
assessing that Croatia cannot be isolated from Europe and the rest of the world. The Croatian Party of Rights (HSP), however, held Croatia had no interest in the Pact. On behalf of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) party bench, Zarko Domljan warned that the south-east of Europe, including Croatia, was a victim of unharmonised European policy. What is important is whether Croatia can find some interest in the Pact, and the answer is affirmative, because Croatia cannot be isolated. Projects of the pact must be used in line with state and national interests, he said. Stjepan Radic of the Croatian Peasants' party (HSS) said the economic part was insufficiently stressed, which presented the
ZAGREB, Oct 21 (Hina) - MPs of the Croatian National Parliament
House of Representatives on Thursday supported, with a majority of
votes, Foreign Minister Mate Granic's report on the Stability Pact
for the South-East of Europe, assessing that Croatia cannot be
isolated from Europe and the rest of the world.
The Croatian Party of Rights (HSP), however, held Croatia had no
interest in the Pact.
On behalf of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) party
bench, Zarko Domljan warned that the south-east of Europe,
including Croatia, was a victim of unharmonised European policy.
What is important is whether Croatia can find some interest in the
Pact, and the answer is affirmative, because Croatia cannot be
isolated. Projects of the pact must be used in line with state and
national interests, he said.
Stjepan Radic of the Croatian Peasants' party (HSS) said the
economic part was insufficiently stressed, which presented the
most important issue for Croatia. He also said that there was no
word about the demilitarisation of the region, which should be a
priority as it is known as a "gunpowder keg".
The Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS) deems that not one party
can oppose the Pact because that would mean being against Europe,
Joso Rados said.
The Istrian Democratic Assembly (IDS), Ivan Jakovcic said, hailed
the Stability Pact as a formula for a democratic and economic
development of Croatia. He expressed conviction that moving closer
to the EU and NATO would follow soon after the elections.
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) supports the Pact, Antun Vujic
said. However, the SDP is critical towards the fact that so far
neither the Parliament nor the Croatian public have been consulted
about Croatia's participation in the process.
The Croatian People's Party (HNS) is aware of the fact that failing
to accept the pact would lead Croatia into isolation, Radomir Cacic
said, concluding that Pact provided Croatia with enormous space,
but, as he said, "there is no chance of it using it with players
making up the current team, as they have no use for it, but are able
to do damage".
Speaking on behalf of the Croatian Peasants' People's Party (HSNS),
Josko Kovac said his party accepted the Pact, with the
recommendation that Croatia use those programmes which would be of
use.
"How is it possible that the path to Europe for Croatia leads
through Belgrade or Sophia, not through Vienna or Munich," Ante
Djapic said on behalf of the Croatian Party of Rights (HSP).
His party holds that the pact was drawing Croatia further away from
the European Union instead of drawing closer.
"We believe that Croatia has no interest in the Pact," Djapic said.
Bozo Kovacevic of the Liberal Party (LS) advocated a strictly
pragmatic approach to the economic part of the Pact. Possibilities
for joint investments must be used, he said.
(hina) lml mm