NEW YORK, March 24 (Hina) - Croatian Foreign Minister Miomir Zuzul and U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan held talks in New York on Wednesday, discussing the situation in the region and in Croatia, what Croatia is doing to meet
criteria for joining the European Union, the return of Serb refugees, and cooperation with the war crimes tribunal in The Hague.
NEW YORK, March 24 (Hina) - Croatian Foreign Minister Miomir Zuzul and
U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan held talks in New York on Wednesday,
discussing the situation in the region and in Croatia, what Croatia is
doing to meet criteria for joining the European Union, the return of
Serb refugees, and cooperation with the war crimes tribunal in The
Hague.#L#
Speaking to reporters after the talks, Zuzul said Annan commended
everything Croatia's new government had done over the last three
months, including in cooperation with the Hague tribunal, and extended
his support and wish that Croatia continue along this path, which
Zuzul added was a government priority.
Zuzul told reporters he informed Annan that Croatia was concerned
about and could not agree with some allegations in the Hague
tribunal's indictments. The government will find the legal means to
respond to such "political formulations," he said.
The two officials also talked about the continuation of Croatia's
participation in U.N. missions, notably in peacebuilding and
post-conflict reconstruction.
After New York, Zuzul's next stop is Washington, where on Thursday and
Friday he is due to meet U.S. Congress and administration officials
for talks about Croatia's ambition to join NATO.
On Monday Zuzul will be joined by Prime Minister Ivo Sanader at a
White House event dedicated to the admission of seven new countries to
NATO.
(Hina) ha