EUROPEAN PARLIAMENTARIANS MEET CROATIAN DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

ZAGREB, June 19 (Hina) - Croatian Deputy Prime Minister Ivica Kostovic on Thursday received a European Parliament delegation for relations with Southeastern European countries. The main topic discussed was the return of displaced persons and refugees to their homes. We have come to get acquainted with the current situation in Croatia and to see how we can help in developing the relations between Croatia and the European Union, head of the European Parliament delegation Doris Pack told reporters after the talks. We want to gather as much information as possible so that we could make a correct evaluation of the situation and submit such a report to the European Parliament that would enable an objective discussion, Pack said, stressing the importance of financial assistance of the EU for the implementation of return programmes. Kostovic said that the existing programme for the return of displaced persons, signed by the Croatian government, UNTAES and UNHCR, remained the only basis for return. He recalled the Croatian government's view that that wherever possible, returns should be conducted immediately. Kostovic stressed the importance of terminating the mandate of UNTAES's military component and establishing civilian authority in the Croatian Danube area in line with election results. "Difficulties regarding the return of displaced persons are great, from financial to political, but the Croatian government will fulfil everything it has signed," Kostovic stressed. The European parliamentarians end their three-day visit on Friday. (hina) vm 191922 MET jun 97