AUSTRIAN SUPREME COURT DELEGATION ENDS VISIT TO CROATIA

( Editorial: --> 7517 ) ZAGREB, May 29 (Hina) - The Austrian Supreme Court delegation's three-day visit to Croatia is the beginning of a project of cooperation among supreme courts of Central European countries, Croatian Supreme Court president Milan Vukovic told reporters in Zagreb Friday. Vukovic held a press conference with his Austrian counterpart Herbert Steininger which marked the end of the first official and working visit of supreme court delegations of the two countries. Talks held during this visit focused on concrete steps in scheduling a meeting of supreme court presidents of Central European countries, Vukovic said. Colleagues from Slovenia, Austria and Croatia have already agreed, and a positive response was expected from Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and other countries, he said. The meeting might take place this autumn or next spring. The talks with the Austrian delegation also focused on the endeavours of Croatia's judiciary to establish a high court of appeals to complete a process of adjustment with Austria's judiciary, on issues concerning the courts' work and their management. Croatia's newly appointed Justice Minister Milan Ramljak participated in the talks. Austria's Steininger told reporters he was satisfied with the visit. "Personal contacts among supreme court presidents of countries which are historically linked have to be especially good", he said. Judiciary systems in Croatia and Austria differ in terms of organisation, Steininger said, but in fundamental standpoints, such as the judiciary as the foundation of the rule of law and the protection of human rights, we agree. This three-day visit will result in close cooperation between the two countries' two supreme courts, he told reporters. (hina) ha 291527 MET may 98