CRO DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER HOLDS TALKS WITH EU & NATO REPS

( Editorial: --> 6122 ) ZAGREB, Mar 2 (Hina) - Croatian Deputy Foreign Minister Ivo Sanader Monday held talks in Brussels with representatives of the European Union and NATO. "The fundamental message of these talks (...) is that (both the EU and NATO) expect Croatia to comply with all we have set ourselves to do, not as some sort of pressure on Croatia, but because it is in Croatia's national interest as well", Sanader told Croatian television's central evening news. "Maybe the basic message is undoubtedly that both organisations as the final goal want to see Croatia both in the EU and in NATO. The criteria, obviously, are what they are, the road is difficult, it is ahead of us and we are aware of that", Sanader said, adding today's talks were a sort of review of relations to date. The talks focused on the two-way return of refugees and displaced persons and the implementation of the Dayton peace agreement in Bosnia-Herzegovina which, Sanader pointed out, had Croatia's "absolute support." Speaking about his talks at NATO headquarters, Sanader said they were working meetings and an opportunity to exchange opinions regarding the situation in neighbouring BH and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Sanader said he reiterated Croatia's endeavour to meet the standards necessary to access NATO. (hina) ha jn 022136 MET mar 98