E.U. COUNCIL OF MINISTERS ASKS CROATIA TO FULFILL ITS OBLIGATIONS

( Editorial: --> 3722 ) ZAGREB, March 31 (Hina) - The European Union's Council of Ministers on Monday asked that Croatia follow words with action and implement its international obligations in accordance with EU expectations, said the Spokesman's Service of the European Union in Brussels on Tuesday. The Council said the EU's expectations were clearly set out in a March 23 meeting in London between the Ministerial Troika and Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic. "The Council welcomed Croatia's reaffirmed commitment to uphold the Dayton Agreement and implement its other international obligations, and its undertaking to give effect to a comprehensive framework for refugee returns," a Spokesman's Service statement said. "It emphasised the need for Croatia to follow words with deeds and take rapid action to implement its commitments at all levels of central and local government." The Council said Ministers agreed to return to the issue at their next meeting, when Croatia's compliance with the regional approach conditionality criteria would be considered based on a European Commission report. The next Council of Ministers meeting is set down for 27 and 28 April. (Hina) jn mb /mr 311839 MET mar 98