THE HAGUE, Oct 17 (Hina) - Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic, who is on a two-day visit to the Netherlands, on Thursday held talks with the president of the Council of Europe Committee for political issues, Pierre Van Der
Linden.
THE HAGUE, Oct 17 (Hina) - Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic,
who is on a two-day visit to the Netherlands, on Thursday held
talks with the president of the Council of Europe Committee for
political issues, Pierre Van Der Linden. #L#
Asked about the Council of Europe's expectations from Croatia,
Van Der Linder said after the talks that now that Croatia had
become the Council's 40th member, it was very important that it
held its future in its own hands and that, as a potentially wealthy
country, it was up to Croatia to take up the chance it was being
given.
He added that he expected Croatia to fulfill its commitments
it had taken on as a member of the Council of Europe.
Congratulating Croatia for its accession, Van Der Linden
expressed satisfaction with Granic's cooperation during the whole
process of negotiations.
Speaking about the future of the Council of Europe, he said
that its main task would remain the issue of respect of human
rights in all member countries.
From the point of view of human rights, it should not matter
whether someone lived in the Netherlands, France, Croatia, or any
other member country, Van Der Linden said.
During his visit, Granic is to hold talks with his Dutch
counterpart Hans Van Mierl and will also be received by Dutch
Premier Wim Kok.
(hina) lm
171119 MET oct 96