GRANIC PRESENTS NON-PAPER ON CROATIA'S INTEGRATION INTO EUROPEAN STRUCTURES

STRUCTURES ( Editorial: --> 2044 ) ZAGREB, March 24 (Hina) - The Croatian delegation presented a non- paper on Croatia's integration into European structures during a meeting on Monday between Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic and representatives of the European Union Troika, the Croatian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday. Granic met British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook, Austrian Foreign Minister Wolfgang Schuessel and State Minister in the Luxembourg Foreign Ministry Lydie Err during the meeting in London. The non-paper reminds that Croatia's priority in the coming period is the improvement and strengthening of its relations with the European Union. It is Croatia's wish during 1998 to complete the process of its admission to the PHARE assistance programme and conclude an agreement on cooperation with the EU. Croatia has so far shown a high degree of cooperation in key issues (the Dayton agreement, International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), Danube region, relations with its neighbours) and it believes that it is necessary for the EU to recognise the constructiveness of Croatia's policy and help it in strengthening its democratic and economic processes. Croatia would like European conditions to serve as a stimulus to its getting closer to the EU. Accordingly, Croatia expects a set time plan of its admission to European institutions. Croatia continues to take steps in strengthening its democratic society, which especially refers to freedom of the media. A recent invitation for bids for a national television concession could considerably contribute to that process. Regarding the protection of human rights, the Government has taken a series of measures in the Croatian Danube River region and other parts of the country, paying special attention to the General Amnesty Law and the Law Adjustment Act. The international community has on several occasions acknowledged the effectiveness of the Croatian police, which was confirmed in the UN Security Council Presidential Statement of March 6. The National Trust Establishment Committee, the only of its kind on the territory of former Yugoslavia, is working towards that aim as well. The Government has stopped the organisation of all political meetings in the Danube River region until further notice. Croatia abides by the commitments it took over by signing the Dayton agreement and it tries to contribute to improving the functioning of the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina. Croatia has proposed a new framework agreement on special relations with the Federation, taking into consideration the opinion of the Office of the High Representative in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Talks on special relations, the use of the Ploce port and passage through Neum (in southern Bosnia-Herzegovina) started on March 16 in Zagreb. With the aim of securing a lasting peace and stability in the region, during his recent meeting with the German and French Foreign Ministers Klaus Kinkel and Hubert Vedrine, Croatian President Franjo Tudjman proposed complete demilitarisation for Bosnia-Herzegovina and the signing of a non-aggression agreement, which would permanently bind both Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Bosnia-Herzegovina. At the same time, Croatia has started negotiations with the Bosnian Serb entity and it was agreed that Croatia would soon open a consulate in Banja Luka. The two sides are gradually starting to cooperate in humanitarian affairs, the return of refugees, the opening of traffic and the establishment of trade. The return of refugees is a two-way process which also refers to the return of Croatian Serbs who are currently living in Yugoslavia or the Bosnian Serb entity. So far 30,000 Serb refugees have returned to Croatia, of whom 19,000 returned from Yugoslavia. Only after the Citizenship Law of Bosnia-Herzegovina takes effect will Croatia be ready to consider and adopt one visa regime for the whole of Bosnia-Herzegovina. Croatia has shown a maximum degree of cooperation with ICTY and it will continue to cooperate but it also expects a more efficient investigation into war crimes committed against Croats in Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Since 1992, a programme of systematic economic reforms has been carried out in Croatia and that programme has contributed to macroeconomic stability, a low inflation rate and permanent growth. In May Croatia will organise a conference on reconstruction and development in cooperation with the international community with the aim of raising funds for the reconstruction of war-ravaged areas. Croatia has maintained good relations with neighbouring states and secured conditions for wider regional cooperation. It is paying special attention to relations with Bosnia- Herzegovina, Slovenia, Hungary, Italy, Austria and Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) member-countries. Development of relations and economic cooperation with Yugoslavia have been slowed down due to political instability in that country. Croatia wants to have an open policy and be attractive as an economic, traffic and even political crossroads between Central Europe, the Mediterranean and South-East Europe, the Foreign Ministry statement said. (hina) mm rm /mb 241901 MET mar 98