GRANIC PARTICIPATES IN SESSION OF COMMITTEE OF MINISTERS ( Editorial: --> 8680 )

( Editorial: --> 8680 ) STRASBOURG, Nov 6 (Hina) - Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic on Thursday took part in a session of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers in Strasbourg, which focused on the implementation of documents adopted at an October Council summit. Granic spoke about the priorities Croatia saw within those documents and the progress achieved in Croatia over the last year. The priorities pointed out at the summit, including the creation of a unified, democratic and stable Europe, were of great importance for Croatia as well, the foreign minister told reporters after today's session. "I commented on the principal expectations the Council has of Croatia", Granic said. "A significant step forward has been made over the past year" since Croatia's admission in the Council, he pointed out. Croatia had signed and ratified all conventions relating to the one year period, and was actively working at fulfilling the remaining obligations from the list of 21 conditions Croatia signed upon admission into the Council, Minister Granic said. Croatia's foreign minister in particular commented on the process of peaceful reintegration of the Danube river region in the east of the country. The process, Granic said, "will certainly strengthen Croatia's standing and contribute to its reputation and credibility." In this context, Granic mentioned the significance of the Croatian government's programme for restoring trust, accelerating the two- way return process and full functioning of local authorities and government in the Croatian Danube river region. The foreign minister pointed out Croatia had made a big step towards cooperating with the Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia in The Hague and was participating in the peace process in Bosnia- Herzegovina. Granic also pointed out the significance of the monitoring process over all countries, including Croatia, based on a "constructive and indiscriminate dialogue founded on cooperation, mutual assistance and exchange of experience." Yesterday, Croatia's foreign minister attended an informal meeting of the Committee of Ministers and a working dinner given by Daniel Tarschys, the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe. Max van der Stoel, the high commissioner for national minorities of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, also attended. On that occasion, the ministers voiced concern over the situation in Kosovo. Granic commented on everything Croatia was doing in view of the protection of national minorities. (hina) ha jn 061804 MET nov 97