MATESA RECEIVES EUROPEAN TROIKA

( Editorial: --> 3094 ) ZAGREB, May 11 (Hina) - Croatia is advocating a more balanced approach by the European Union towards Croatia so that along with objective criticisms of the implementation of agreements, they could also express the many areas in which the Croatian Government has and continues to make great progress, said Croatian Premier Zlatko Matesa on Monday in talks with representatives of the EU Troika. "Sometimes there is a feeling that the international community is not looking at the entire efforts which the Croatian Government is systematically investing to fulfill its commitments," said Matesa on that occasion, according to a statement from the Government's Communications Office. He added that the Croatian Government will soon work out a comprehensive programme for the return of displaced persons and issue guidelines for the implementation of the plan for individual return which should create conditions for organised individual return. The EU representatives, UK Ambassador Colin Munroe, Austrian Ambassador Rudolf Bogner and Per Vinter, the Netherlands' representative and European Commission's special envoy to Croatia, presented Matesa with the text of conclusions by the EU Council of Ministers adopted on April 27 in Luxembourg. From the Croatian side, the European Integrations Minister Ljerka Mintas-Hodak also participated in today's talks. Despite the fact that Croatia is often accused of obstructing the implementation of the Dayton Accord, significant progress has been achieved in the bilateral relations with Bosnia-Herzegovina as evidenced by positive contacts with Republika Srpska Premier Milorad Dodik and a package of agreements with the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina, stressed Matesa. On the issue of return it should be known that it is a multilateral process which will be especially affected by the dynamics of return to Republika Srpska and the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina, said Matesa. Talking about the situation in the media, Matesa reminded that the transformation of Croatian Radio Television into a public institution is in progress and in line with existing European standards. Croatia is oriented towards European integrations, but expects its European partners to show understanding, support and an objective assessment of activities aimed toward the stabilisation of the situation, successful economic transition and full inclusion into European associations, concluded Matesa. During talks, Ambassador Munroe said that the EU shares Croatia's strategic aim for inclusion into European associations and that the basic interest of the EU is peace and stability in this part of Europe. (hina) as mrb/as 111846 MET may 98