PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT HAILS CROATIA'S ADMISSION

STRASBOURG, 6 Nov (Hina) - Congratulating the Croat people on the admission of their country to the full membership in the Council of Europe at today's admission ceremony in Strasbourg, the President of the Parliamentary Assembly, Leni Fischer, said she was convinced that Croatia would provide a stimulating contribution in the future work of the Council of Europe. Croatia had been drawn into a violent conflict almost immediately after it had declared its independence, Fischer said, adding that those events had inevitably slowed down the process of its admission. Recalling the commitments Croatia has taken over during the admission process, Fischer said that Croatia's entry in the Council of Europe as a full member was not the end but the beginning of implementation of those commitments and guarantees. Fischer said she believed that Croatia would do all it can in order to fulfill its obligations and find adequate solutions in the areas of special importance. Those areas included respect for minority rights, effective guarantees for the freedom of the media, full respect for democratic principles and effective cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for Former Yugoslavia, Fischer said. She also expressed hope that Croatia would continue to respect the Dayton agreements and the Basic Agreement on the Croatian Danubian Area. The Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly and Committee of Ministers would follow Croatia's development, provide assistance where necessary and be critical where necessary, Fischer said, adding the rule applied to all Council of Europe member-states. (hina) rm jn 061515 MET nov 96