CRO PARLIAMENT CHAIRMAN ADDRESSES COUNCIL OF EUROPE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY

ASSEMBLY STRASBOURG, 24 April (Hina) - After the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly on Wednesday approved Croatia's admission to the Council of Europe, the President of the Croatian Parliament, Vlatko Pavletic, addressed the session: 'Committed to democracy, Croatia protects the rights of its citizens and in particular of its national minorities through its laws and its practice, in line with European standards. Sometimes it does more than this: for example, despite the war, Croatia had not legalized the death penalty! However, difficult war traumas, caused by the Serbian aggression and terrible crimes cannot be forgotten overnight. By resolutely supporting the state of law, the state authority is determined to peacefully and through agreements solve the problems it has in common with other states in transition, as well as problems it has with its with neighbours and which are specific to Croatia', Pavletic said. 'A great majority of people in Croatia are determined to build a society of free and happy people, equal in all their rights. On the way to the strengthening of the state no one can cause that great electoral body to waver any more'. 'With its understanding and its acceptance of Croatia, the Council of Europe can help a lot and speed up the healing of war wounds'. 'When it is finally admitted to that circle, Croatia would have to meet the commitment of gradual transformation so that it could once fulfill its strategic aim: the full integration into a Europe which will have to be able to find solutions to new challenges of the 21st century through joint wisdom and ability', Pavletic said. (hina) rm 242348 MET apr 96