CRO MINISTER FOR EU INTEGRATION MEETS OSCE COMMISSIONER FOR MINORITIES

MINORITIES ( Editorial: --> 8010 ) ZAGREB, Oct 13 (Hina) - Croatian Vice Premier and European Integration Minister Ljerka Mintas-Hodak met with Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) high commissioner for minority issues, Max van den Stoel, in Zagreb on Tuesday. The two officials discussed the status and programme of the Joint Council of (Serb-majority) Municipalities, as well as the question of social security for citizens from Bosnia-Herzegovina living in Croatia. The focal point of our discussions was the question of the role and programme of the Joint Council of Municipalities based in Vukovar, said Van den Stoel, adding that talks held were very constructive. Discussed was also the return of refugees and social security issues for citizens from Bosnia-Herzegovina currently living in Croatia, said OSCE's high representative for minorities. "I believe that we managed to clarify the doubts and claims which have been floating in the local and foreign media regarding the status and financing of the Joint Council", said Mintas-Hodak. She added that she had presented Van den Stoel with concrete examples which indicated the Croatian government's concern not only for the Serb minority but also for other minority communities living in Croatia. "We have appealed to the High Commissioner to use his authority so that the OSCE mission to B-H also becomes engaged in negotiations to clarify and conclude an agreement regarding social security issues", said Mintas-Hodak. Some 23,500 pensioners from Bosnia-Herzegovina receive pensions in Croatia, which requires funds of over DM200 million, Mintas-Hodak explained. This issue needs to be regulated by an international agreement, she said. "This could relieve some of the burden from the Croatian Pension Fund, which would then have more money to distribute to local Croatian pensioners", the Vice Premier concluded. (hina) sp/rml 131453 MET oct 98