GRANIC DISCUSSES RETURN PLAN WITH BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY

( Editorial: --> 3416 ) LONDON, June 24 (Hina) - Foreign Minister Mate Granic on Wednesday held talks with British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook on the European Union's expectations from Croatia, and Croatia's aspirations towards joining European integration processes. The Croatian Foreign Minister is paying a one-day working visit to the United Kingdom, which is presiding over the EU until July 1. The two ministers mostly discussed the plan on the return of displaced people and refugees, which was adopted last weekend by the Croatian Government. Adoption of the plan is currently the EU's main expectation towards Croatia. The British side greeted the adoption of the document but also stressed that its successful application was as important, Granic said. The UK, he added, supported the organisation of the donors' conference on reconstruction as well as the removal of threats concerning the suspension of trade concessions for Croatia by the EU. Regarding Croatia's admission to the PHARE assistance programme, the UK believes one should wait for the implementation of the return programme to begin. The opening up of a programme on cooperation between Croatia and the EU will depend on the success of the return plan. Today's talks, following which there were no official statements for the media, focused also on the process of democratisation in Croatia, especially in the area of media, and on Croatia's efforts in accelerating the peace process in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The UK positively judged Croatia's efforts concerning the peace process in Bosnia, Granic said. During his visit to London, Granic also held talks with British Minister of State Tony Lloyd, who should visit Croatia soon, and with Menzies Campbell, a Liberal Democrat in charge of foreign policy issues. Describing his visits to Bonn and London, Granic said that in both cases it was concluded that the adoption of the return plan contributed considerably to the positive development of Croatia-EU relations. Granic paid a visit to Bonn yesterday prior to his visit to the British capital. Before leaving London, Granic also had a phone conversation with Austrian Foreign Minister Wolfgang Schuessel. The two officials discussed the results of Granic's visits to London and Bonn. Schuessel is attending a meeting of the EU troika with Russian Foreign Minister Yevgeny Primakov. Austria takes over the presidency of the EU on July 1. (hina) rml /mbr 241636 MET jun 98