SANADER - SECURITY IN EUROPE ISSUE INDIVISIBLE

ZAGREB, Dec 1 (Hina) - Croatian Deputy Foreign Minister Ivo Sanader on Tuesday addressed the 19th international politics and strategy conference in Munich by speaking about peace and political stability prospects in southeast Europe. According to a statement from the Croatian Foreign Ministry, Sanader pointed out the security in Europe issue was indivisible, and that lessons must be learned from the war tragedies of this decade. Sanader suggested stronger institutionalisation of relations between the European Union (EU) and the Central European Initiative as viable ways of finding political and security solutions in 21st century Europe. The Deputy Foreign Minister stressed the EU and NATO expansion process was primarily of a political and security nature, adding that new division lines in Europe must be avoided in the process. Sanader said Croatia would do everything in its power to contribute to the stabilisation of political circumstances in the region, but pointed out Croatia could not consent to being a hostage to the instability of the southeast neighbourhood. Croatia continually proved its positive role through an active normalisation of relations with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, and through its firm endorsement of a consistent implementation of the Dayton and Washington peace agreements. Sanader concluded Croatia expected an adequate evaluation of its political and economic achievements, with the aim to approach the EU and NATO. (hina) ha mm