KINKEL & VEDRINE: POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT OF RELATIONS WITH CROATIA

( Editorial: --> 0869 ) ZAGREB, March 19 (Hina) - Croatian President Dr. Franjo Tudjman and the French and German Foreign Ministers Hubert Vedrine and Klaus Kinkel positively assessed the development of bilateral relations, said a joint statement by Vedrine and Kinkel on Thursday. Speaking upon completion of their visit to Zagreb, Vedrine and Kinkel expressed readiness for further advancement of these relations, especially in the areas of economic and trade relations, the statement said. The French and German Foreign Ministers met with the Croatian President on Wednesday and their main topics were the implementation of the Dayton peace agreement, the situation in the Croatian Danube region following the completion of the UNTAES mandate and relations between Croatia and the European Union. Vedrine and Kinkel emphasised France's and Germany's keen interest in the long term stabilisation of the whole region, for which Croatia, France and Germany took special responsibility by signing the Dayton peace agreement. The ministers gave top marks for Croatia's constructive role in the voluntary extradition of persons accused of war crimes to the international war crimes tribunal in The Hague. By that, Croatia made an important contribution to the implementation of the Dayton agreement, which should be emulated by other political leaders, particularly in Republika Srpska and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, they said. The ministers repeated that the international community expected that Croatia should use its influence on the Croat political leadership in the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina so that relations between Croatia and the B-H Federation develop in line with the Dayton agreements. Vedrine and Kinkel praised the achievements in the reintegration of eastern Slavonia and the completion of UNTAES's mandate on 15 January 1998, two years after its commencement. They highlighted the need to implement the obligations undertaken in the Erdut agreement and to constructively cooperate with the OSCE mission in Croatia, now that UNTAES's mandate is finished. The ministers promised the Croatian President that they will undertake to improve relations between Croatia and the EU, in light of Croatia's measures to meet the international community's expectations, especially regarding the return of refugees to Croatia. They will start with means for reconstruction as well as Croatia's bid for membership in the PHARE program. According to the ministers, President Tudjman said that Croatia will completely fulfill its obligations outlined in the Dayton peace agreement. The Croatian President holds that Croats in the B-H Federation can expect full compliance with the letter and spirit of the Dayton agreement and full cooperation with the High Representative, they said. President Tudjman also warned it would be dangerous to further maintain parallel and anti-constitutional structures in the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina. The President especially stressed the need for complete implementation of municipal election results and for cooperation in issues regarding the return of displaced persons to municipalities under Croat control. According to the ministers, Tudjman also said that persons who committed violent or other unlawful acts against those who wish to return should be prosecuted. Vedrine and Kinkel acknowledged Tudjman's high expectations from the forthcoming Conference on Reconstruction and Development in Croatia, whose outcome should facilitate the return of displaced persons and refugees. The diplomatic chiefs emphasised that Croatia was expected to make more intensive efforts in other fields, such as the stabilisation and establishment of lasting peace in the territory of the former Yugoslavia. They said Tudjman emphasised Croatia's readiness to make possible the return of Croatian citizens of Serb nationality and to remove remaining obstacles for their return without further delay. The Croatian president announced the Republic of Croatia would soon present a concrete concept for the return of refugees. Vedrine, Kinkel and Tudjman agreed that everything possible should be done to stimulate the process of trust establishment between all national groups in Croatia and that the population's desire for reconciliation should be strengthened. In that way, they believe, Croatia will give a decisive impetus to its efforts, which are backed by France and Germany, to join European mechanisms. Croatia as a nation which feels a part of central Europe, must set a good example in that regard, which is of crucial importance for stability in the whole region. President Tudjman said Croatia gave great importance to rapprochement with the European Union. He said that Croatia, historically, politically and geographically belonged to Europe. The ministers said that France and Germany further wished to support Croatia's expressed desire for inclusion in European structures, in light of the regional concept of the European Union, says the joint statement by Hubert Vedrine and Klaus Kinkel. (hina) jn mrb/mr 191940 MET mar 98