HDZ OFFICIALS SPEAK ABOUT RELATIONS WITH INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY

( Editorial: --> 1123 ) ZAGREB, March 20 (Hina) - Croatia is willing to implement everything it has agreed on with the international community, but in doing so expects the international community's support, Croatian Foreign Minister and vice-president of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) Mate Granic told reporters in Zagreb Friday. Granic reiterated that Croatia's foreign policy strategic goals included good relations with all neighbouring countries, the normalisation of relations with Belgrade, support to the peace process in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and the inclusion of Croatia in European integration processes. "In the upcoming period, Croatia expects the unfreezing of the PHARE (assistance) programme, the continuation of negotiations concerning the inclusion of Croatia in the Central European Free Trade Agreement and the World Trade Organisation, and of course concerning Croatia's access to the European Union," Granic said. It has not always been easy to adjust Croatia's interests with those of the international community in achieving these goals, he pointed out. "Whenever our interests differed, the international community would pressure Croatia," Granic said. Pointing out that Croatia did not agree to being among the so-called Dayton countries but wanted its independent path to Europe, the Foreign Minister said the dynamic of international community pressure would increase every time Croatia's steps failed to coincide with the interests of the international community. "However, we never altered our strategic goals," Granic said. Following the conclusion of the UN mandate in eastern Slavonia, Croatia had taken resolute steps to the effect of achieving a peaceful reintegration of the Danube River region, the Foreign Minister said. Croatia is also negotiating agreements with Bosnia in relation to the use of the southern Croatian port of Ploce and passage through Neum, a Bosnian port on the southern Adriatic, and the building of a motorway. According to the Foreign Minister, when these agreements are signed, pressure on Croatia would be lifted. Granic said part of the pressure existed on account of a wrong perception of President Franjo Tudjman's speech at the recent HDZ convention. "Our answer to the pressure is dialogue and this has been confirmed during the visits of German and French Foreign Ministers (Klaus) Kinkel and (Hubert) Vedrine," he said, adding the two ministers had been satisfied with the visit. Reiterating that Croatia would comply with all of its obligations, Granic said that on a local level there must not be any obstruction of state policies. "It makes us lose our credibility and it distances us from the international community," he pointed out. According to Ljerka Mintas-Hodak, HDZ vice-president and Minister for European Integration, Croatia had demonstrated its commitment to be part of international integration processes and to that effect set up a special ministry. The inclusion into the international community began earlier, but following January 15, when the UN mandate expired, the government assessed the process had to be considerably intensified, Mintas- Hodak said. She announced the government would set up an office which will deal with technical and expert preparations for Croatia's access to international institutions, including the adjustment of legislation. (hina) ha jn /mb 201653 MET mar 98