SANADER AT MINORITY RIGHTS CONFERENCE IN SLOVAKIA

ZAGREB, Oct 6, (Hina) - Croatian Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Ivo Sanader was taking part in a conference on ethnic communities and minorities in Europe, the foreign ministry said today in a statement. The conference, convened by the Hans Seidel Foundation, was in Bratislava, Slovakia, from October 4 -6. In a speech with the theme 'The causes of conflict in southeastern Europe, and possible solutions' Sanader said the birth of the Great Serbia idea was the major cause of Serb aggression as well as the cause of the current situation in southeastern Europe. He also outlined Croatia's positions and proposals for a fair settlement to the crisis. Sanader stressed that Croatia had been undertaking many steps, which were in line with European standards, to protect minority rights. (hina) mar sd mm 061446 MET oct 94