DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER ADDRESSES SECURITY CONFERENCE IN TURKEY

( Editorial: --> 7358 ) ZAGREB, Oct 10 (Hina) - Croatian Deputy Foreign Minister Ivo Sanader on Friday addressed the ninth international conference on security and cooperation held in Antalyia, Turkey. In his speech, Sanader pointed out to the shortcomings of regional initiatives which, he said, were not paying enough attention to the specific aspects of certain countries. The European security structure in the 21st century should have mechanisms which will prevent new divisions in Europe and the application of different standards in the treatment of European countries, said Sanader. He emphasised that the Croatian army had reached the level of NATO standards through experience gained during the Homeland War. This, Sanader believes, qualifies Croatia for access to Partnership for Peace and ranks it among countries which should become NATO members in the near future. The Foreign Minister also outlined Croatia's experience from the Homeland War in which, through a combination of military and diplomatic operations, Croatia had managed to liberate its Serb- occupied areas and reintegrate them into its constitutional and legal system. Sanader in particular recalled the successfully carried out peaceful reintegration of the Danube river region in eastern Croatia, and the excellent cooperation between the Croatian government and the UN transitional administration for that region, later assessed as the most successful peace operation in UN history. Sanader also acquainted the conference with Croatia's principal foreign policy priorities. These include further contribution to stability in Bosnia- Herzegovina (BH), full support to the Washington and Dayton peace agreements, and further normalisation of relations with Yugoslavia. Sanader in particular emphasised Croatia's orientation towards European and Transatlantic integration. He pointed out to Croatia's very good cooperation with NATO, and to Croatia's assistance to the NATO-led peace Stabilisation Force in BH. (hina) ha 101120 MET oct 98