CROATIA WILL MEET EU'S MAXIMUM DEMANDS - SAYS GRANIC

ZAGREB, Nov 25 (Hina) - Croatia will meet the maximum demands set before it by the European Union (EU), but has the impression the EU does not take into consideration the objective difficulties Croatia is faced with, Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic told Wednesday's issue of Vienna-based daily "Der Standard". "We are a country which is implementing a post-communist metamorphosis in the wake of an imposed war and its aftermath," Granic said speaking about the said difficulties. According to "Der Standard", Croatian President Franjo Tudjman, at a recent meeting with EU chairman Austrian Foreign Minister Wolfgang Schuessel, showed he was willing to comply with EU demands with regard to the electoral law, media policy, and the return of refugees. Granic said Croatia's foreign policy strategic aim was acceptance to the EU and NATO, and in short-term, access to the PHARE programme and NATO's Partnership for Peace. Croatia's Foreign Minister expected the EU would take part in a December 4 and 5 donors' conference and assist in the reconstruction of war-ravaged areas in the country. "Der Standard's" Wednesday issue carried a special eight-page article on Croatia which, among else, covered the country's economic and political situation, foreign policy ambitions, relations with neighbouring countries, and bilateral relations with Austria. Speaking about relations with neighbours, Minister Granic said it seemed Croatia and Slovenia would soon reach an agreement on land borders, but added an agreement on a sea border in Piran Bay was still not in view. He expected Austria to act as bridge between eastern and central European countries in transition and the EU, and to exert its influence in Brussels to incite greater understanding of Croatia's problems on EU's part. (hina) ha jn