ZAGREB, March 4 (Hina) - The Croatian government is determined in implementing the reforms necessary for full membership in the EU and NATO, the chairman of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Subcommittee on Security and Defense, Vahit
Erdem, said in Zagreb on Thursday.
ZAGREB, March 4 (Hina) - The Croatian government is determined in
implementing the reforms necessary for full membership in the EU and
NATO, the chairman of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Subcommittee on
Security and Defense, Vahit Erdem, said in Zagreb on Thursday.#L#
A NATO Parliamentary Assembly delegation headed by Erdem spent three
days in Croatia to get acquainted with the country's progress in the
reorganisation of the armed forces, the establishment of democratic
supervision over security services, the battle against terrorism, and
security in the region.
Based on the information it collected, the Subcommittee on Security
and Defense will prepare a report to be submitted at a NATO
Parliamentary Assembly conference.
Speaking to reporters before departing Zagreb, Erdem said the NATO
delegation felt the Croatian government was very determined to carry
out all the reforms required for full membership in NATO and the
European Union.
He said Croatia had made great headway with internal reforms and the
reorganisation of the military so as to make it compatible with NATO.
Erdem commended Croatia's cooperation with neighbouring countries as
well as data on the return of refugees.
As for Croatia's relations with the U.N. war crimes tribunal in The
Hague, he said they were developing in a positive direction.
Speaking of NATO's June summit in Istanbul, Erdem said he expected the
adoption of a declaration which would affirm NATO's open doors policy
and give Croatia, as the leading candidate, its place in NATO.
Erdem said Croatia's NATO membership was important for Croatia as well
as for NATO because the country played an important role in the
security and stability of the region.
During their Croatian stay, the NATO delegation held talks with Prime
Minister Ivo Sanader, Foreign Minister Miomir Zuzul, Defence Minister
Berislav Roncevic, the military chief of staff, General Josip Lucic,
and Parliament President Vladimir Seks. The delegation also visited
the Croatian Army Simulation Centre and saw in Karlovac a
demonstration of military training for peace missions.
(Hina) ha sb