The Spanish ambassador briefed the press about the Mission's latest report on Croatia's progress in May-October, a day after he presented it to the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Permanent Council in Vienna.
Fuentes said the general impression was very positive and that many OSCE ambassadors commended the Croatian Mission's work, describing it as a model for similar missions in the world, notably in the region.
He also recalled that on Tuesday the British presidency of the European Union applauded Croatia's progress in regional cooperation and reconciliation as well as the adoption of a constitutional law on national minorities.
Fuentes highlighted the Mission's cooperation with the Croatian government, saying it was good and fair.
He said the Mission had made headway in three areas, becoming open for cooperation and active participation of the government, to which the government responded positively.
The other change regarded the acceptance of the Mission in Croatia, Fuentes said, quoting some OSCE ambassadors who held posts in Croatia not long ago as saying that the OSCE had been the enemy which no one wanted to approach, whereas today they were very impressed by the huge change.
The third positive aspect regarded the duration of the Mission, which according to Fuentes is nearing completion and will be wrapped up in a relatively short time.
The Vienna conference heard that three of the six chapters within the OSCE's mandate in Croatia were nearing completion -- democratisation of the police, media and civil society.
In return, Croatia has to work on an election law to be adopted in the spring. In December, the OSCE will organise a round-table debate on this issue, with the participation of Prime Minister Ivo Sanader.
Fuentes said Croatia must do more in the rule of law and legislation, but highlighted progress in the work of courts, which has also been recognised by the Hague war crimes tribunal, prompting it to refer some cases to Croatian courts, such as the Norac-Ademi case.
Refugee return remains the third delicate area, the most difficult one, Fuentes said. He conceded refugee return was an expensive programme and mentioned the difficult task of resolving more than 30,000 tenancy rights cases.
The ambassador said the region assessed Croatia positively in this segment. He quoted Serbia and Montenegro's (SCG) ambassador to the OSCE as saying that Croatia-SCG relations were developing positively and that minority rights in Croatia had improved.
Fuentes recalled the recent deaths of two Serb refugees killed by leftover mines. He said such incidents damaged Croatia's reputation very much and that the OSCE Mission would insist on local authorities and the government thoroughly investigating the case.