ZAGREB, Nov 20 (Hina) - Croatia must cultivate good neighbourly +relations, implement internal reforms, and return refugees, +Austrian Foreign Minister Wolfgang Schuessel told reporters in +Zagreb after talks with representatives of
the Croatian government +and opposition parties.+ It is very important for Croatia to cultivate good neighbourly +relations with all countries, including the Federal Republic of +Yugoslavia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Bosnian Serb entity, and +Slovenia, he said.+ The second important issue are internal reforms, and the third is +the need for reconciliation and the return of refugees.+ Schuessel is heading an Austrian delegation attending the Central +European Initiative summit in Zagreb on November 20 and 21.+ "My visit to Croatia is taking place in a very important moment, and +the talks I held with representatives of Croatian authorities and +the
ZAGREB, Nov 20 (Hina) - Croatia must cultivate good neighbourly
relations, implement internal reforms, and return refugees,
Austrian Foreign Minister Wolfgang Schuessel told reporters in
Zagreb after talks with representatives of the Croatian government
and opposition parties.
It is very important for Croatia to cultivate good neighbourly
relations with all countries, including the Federal Republic of
Yugoslavia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Bosnian Serb entity, and
Slovenia, he said.
The second important issue are internal reforms, and the third is
the need for reconciliation and the return of refugees.
Schuessel is heading an Austrian delegation attending the Central
European Initiative summit in Zagreb on November 20 and 21.
"My visit to Croatia is taking place in a very important moment, and
the talks I held with representatives of Croatian authorities and
the Croatian opposition were very positive," he said.
Schuessel pointed out it was very important to look upon Croatia as
part of Europe because, he said, Europe crosses over the boundaries
of the European Union (EU).
The Austrian Minister said he had not given special recommendations
to representatives of the Croatian opposition, but the same general
message, on the EU's behalf, which he also relayed to
representatives of official authorities.
What was important was that the opposition wanted too that Croatia
enter the PHARE programme as soon as possible because, said
Schuessel, this programme was very important for the economic
development of the country.
"Croatia's access to the PHARE programme is a uniform wish of
Croatia's official authorities and Croatia's opposition," he
emphasised.
The opposition representatives attending today's talks were Ivica
Racan of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Zlatko Tomcic of the
Croatian Peasants' Party (HSS), Drazen Budisa of the Croatian
Social Liberal Party (HSLS), Vlado Gotovac of the Liberal Party
(LS), and Radimir Cacic of the Croatian People's Party (HNS).
We were very satisfied with the talks with Schuessel, said Racan on
behalf of the opposition's representatives.
(hina) ha