SALONICA, 29 May (Hina) - The Standing Committee of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly voiced unanimous support for a resolution on Croatia in the framework of the procedure of Croatia's accession to the Council of Europe.
The document contains criticism of Croatia, but also comments on some progress in the fulfillment of the commitments set by this oldest European organisation.
SALONICA, 29 May (Hina) - The Standing Committee of the Council of
Europe Parliamentary Assembly voiced unanimous support for a
resolution on Croatia in the framework of the procedure of
Croatia's accession to the Council of Europe. The document contains
criticism of Croatia, but also comments on some progress in the
fulfillment of the commitments set by this oldest European
organisation. #L#
The Standing Committee noted with dismay that since 24 May,
when the Parliamentary Assembly voiced a positive opinion on
Croatia's admission to the Council of Europe, the Croatian
authorities have acted in blatant disregard of their commitments.
'The repressive measures taken against the media, and the
dissolution of the Zagreb City Assembly have cast doubt on their
good faith', the resolution said, adding that 'concern has arisen
about the implementation of the law on co-operation with the
International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia'.
However, the Assembly found that 'the decision of the
Constitutional Court annulling the government's decision to
dissolve the Zagreb City Assembly is a positive sign of the
functioning of the rule of law in Croatia'.
The Assembly demanded that the Croatian authorities strictly
respect their commitments and meet expectations and that the
Croatian Parliament act accordingly, in order to enable a rapid
accession to the Council of Europe.
Representative Russell Johnson said during the discussion that
the resolution was temporary and that it did not bring any final
decision. However, it was necessary because of a rift between the
positive decision by the Parliamentary Assembly and the
postponement by the Committee of Ministers. Johnson further
stressed that he remained by his stance he presented to the
Parliamentary Assembly on 24 May, saying that it was too early for
Croatia's admission, because there were no signs of progress.
Johnson's stance was supported by the head of the club of
socialist representatives in the Parliamentary Assembly, Peter
Schieder, who spoke very critically of Croatia, and by Whining
Gjellerod who stressed that Croatia should still be admitted when
it started fulfilling its obligations.
'Those who are advocating the postponement of Croatia's
admission are not its enemies, its enemies are those in Croatia who
will not allow positive changes to happen when Europe demands it
from Croatia', Daniel Hoeffel said. However, he said, the Council
of Europe should not have double standards and apply one set of
criteria on small and the other on big countries. Several another
parliamentarians agreed with him, including Walter Schwimmer who
again expressed his support for Croatia's admission, adding that
his stance as regards Croatia's accession was unchanged. He added
he hoped that 'the Committee of Ministers will soon reach a
positive decision'.
Today's resolution will be included in the agenda of the
Council of Europe Working Group for Central and East European
countries, which is to convene for a session tomorrow in
Strasbourg. The group will prepare a new document which will be
forwarded to the Committee of Ministers next week.
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