TUDJMAN RECEIVES OUTGOING, INCOMING HEADS OF EC MONITORING MISSION

MISSION $ IN CROATIA ZAGREB, 2 July (Hina) - Croatia opposed the European Union's approach towards European integration processes, which treated Croatia as part of the Balkans. Croatia belonged to Central Europe and Mediterranean, Croatian President Franjo Tudjman said during a meeting with the heads of the EU Monitoring Mission in Zagreb on Tuesday, a statement from the President's Office said. #L# President Tudjman received the outgoing head of the EU monitoring Mission in Croatia, Franchetti Paro, and the incoming head of the mission, Antoin Mac Unfraidh. 'As regards the regional approach of the European Union towards European integration processes, Croatia cannot accept to be included into the Balkans region, since with its geo-political position, culture and policy it belongs to Central Europe and Mediterranean. Croatia favors the normalisation of relations with its neighbours, but it will not accept the return to the Balkans and South-Eastern Europe', President Tudjman said. Croatia wanted 'the reintegration of the Croatian Danubian area to be completed in a peaceful way', President Tudjman said, adding Croatia's Constitution, laws and practice guaranteed all rights to the Serb minority, President Tudjman said. Ambassador Franchetti Pardo thanked President Tudjman and Croatian authorities for their cooperation with the EU Monitoring Mission, while Ambassador Mac Unfraidh expressed hope that the two sides would continue to cooperate. President Tudjman thanked Ambassador Pardo for his mission and wished success to the new head of the EU Monitoring Mission. Present at the talks at President Tudjman's side were also Presidential Chief-Of-Staff, Ivo Sanader, and advisor on foreign policy, Zeljko Matic. (hina) rm 021401 MET jul 96