BRITAIN PAYS TRIBUTE TO PEACEFUL REINTEGRATION ON BEHALF OF EU

( Editorial: --> 4635 ) LONDON, Jan 15 (Hina) - On the occasion of the completion of the mandate of the UN Transitional Administration for Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Srijem, the European Union wishes to pay tribute to the Administration, former and present Administrators and all force commanders for their achievements, as well as the Croatian government and local community for the peaceful reintegration of the region, a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry of Great Britain, who is presiding over the European Union. "The Union is pleased to have been able to contribute substantially to this goal. The Union will continue to follow carefully events in eastern Slavonia and in Croatia as a whole, bearing in mind their importance for the future development of political and economic relations between the Union and Croatia," the statement said. The EU called on the Croatian government at the national, as well as local level, "to ensure the right of refugees and displaced persons to return, respect for the rule of law, the equitable treatment of all citizens regardless of their ethnic origin and the protection of minorities. It must make an unswerving commitment to the reintegration process,". "The Union welcomes the readiness of the OSCE to assist Croatia in meeting these and other obligations. There is now an important opportunity to show that different communities can live together in peace and in mutual respect. This in an integral part of the idea of democratic Europe. The Unions calls on all Croatian citizens, Serbs and Croats alike, in eastern Slavonia and throughout Croatia, to see the conclusion of the UNTAES mandate as marking a new era of co-operation between them," the statement said. EU associated countries aligned themselves with this declaration. (hina) lm jn 151220 MET jan 98