CROATIA'S DEPUTY PREMIER MEETS WITH COUNCIL OF EUROPE SECRETARY

( Editorial: --> 7256 ) STRASBOURG, 26 Jan (Hina) - Croatia's Deputy Premier Ljerka Mintas- Hodak met with the Council of Europe Secretary-General Daniel Tarschys on Monday in Strasbourg. Mintas-Hodak discussed the general situation in Croatia, in the light of the recent completion of the UNTAES mandate, and signed a European agreement on the treatment of individuals who turn to the Europaen Human Rights Court. "Ahead of us is a completely new phase following the completion of the peaceful reintegration", said Dr Mintas-Hodak following the meeting. She emphasised that it is now necessary to concentrate on completing the process of the two-way return of displaced persons and refugees - Croatian displaced persons to the Croatian Danube River region and Serb refugees to other parts of Croatia. Secretary-General Tarschys added that they talked about the protection of human rights and establishing a degree of trust between ethnic communities in the Croatian Danube River region. Tarschys said he was interested to know if there was an exodus of Serbs from Slavonia and that the Croatian Deputy Premier vouched that it did not happen. Dr Mintas-Hodak and the Council of Europe Secretary-General emphasised the importance of the signed document about the treatment of individuals who turn to the European Human Rights Court in Strasbourg. The signed instrument will make access to the Court easier for people in Croatia, said Tarschys. Mintas-Hodak added that she made an arrangement with the Council of Europe Secretary to receive further expert help in developing laws tied to human rights and basic freedoms. Before the meeting with the Council of Europe's Secretary-General, Croatia's Deputy Premier met with the Council's Director of Political Affairs, Hans-Peter Furrer, with whom she discussed Croatia's cooperation with the Venetian Commission. Dr Mintas-Hodak informed him that there had been progress following the formation of the Forum for Minorities as suggested by the Venetian Commission. (hina) jn mrb 261459 MET jan 98