CRO FOREIGN MINISTER ATTENDS COE COMMITEE OF MINISTERS MEETING

( Editorial: --> 1598 ) STRASBOURG, May 5 (Hina) - Foreign ministers of 40 member countries of the Council of Europe, including Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic, met in Strasbourg on Tuesday at the 102nd session of the Committee of Ministers. The session will focus on the realisation of conclusions from last year's meeting at the Council of Europe summit and the situation in the south-east of Europe. Ministers will discuss the preliminary report on structural reforms and functioning of the Council of Europe drawn up by the Committee of Wise Persons which is presided over by the former Portuguese Foreign Minister, Mario Soares, and which was established at a Council of Europe summit last October. The ministers will pay special attention to the situation in Kosovo, and call on sides to refrain from violence and begin constructive dialogue. According to unofficial sources, the ministers could also tackle the issue of the return of refugees and displaced persons in Croatia, as part of the discussion on the situation in the south- east of Europe, although this subject is not mentioned on the official agenda of the session. "In case any of the ministers should initiate the issue of the return of refugees, it would make an opportunity for Croatia to relay a clear message, that is, to guarantee the implementation of measures it had drawn up," Granic said on Monday, upon arrival in Strasbourg. He announced that he might use his visit to Strasbourg for several important bilateral meetings. The 102nd session of the Committee of Ministers is presided by German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel. Ministers will also discuss the issue of banning capital punishment, the fight against corruption, and the protection of children from any kind of exploitation. A final document will be adopted at the end of the session, and Germany will hand over its duty of presiding the Council of Europe to Greece for the next six months. (hina) lm 051032 MET may 98