EC DELEGATION COMPLETES VISIT TO CROATIA

( Editorial: --> 1543 ) ZAGREB, Feb 12 (Hina)- Representatives of the Council of Europe said on Thursday in Zagreb they had noticed marked progress in the development of Croatian local and regional democracy. The delegation, headed by rapporteurs Helene Lund and Josef Leinen, representing the Council's Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, came on a three day visit to Croatia on 10 February. "Since our last visit to Croatia in October 1997 we have noticed progress in many areas. We consider that very encouraging", stressed rapporteur Lund at a press briefing. "However, the problem of the dual role of county prefects, who represent both the state authorities and the local government, should be resolved by a new law", stressed Leinen. He added that the provision that makes the appointment of the prefect subject to an approval by the President and the state "should be declared void". Lund expressed hope that Croatia and the Council of Europe would be working jointly on further decentralisation of the government. "We find decentralised decisions more efficient and democratic", said Leinen. The delegation has been charged with drafting a report on the state of local and regional democracy in Croatia. The report will be represented to the Council's plenary session in May. During its stay in Croatia the delegation has met Minister of Administration Davorin Mlakar, the mayor of Zagreb Marina Matulovic-Dropulic, the prefect of the Zagreb county Branimir Pasecky, members of the committee for domestic affairs and local self-government of the Parliament's House of Counties, president of the Association of Croatian Cities and Municipalities Bozidar Kalmeta. The delegation, which was also received at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, visited the towns of Sisak and Karlovac. (Hina) mm mr 122104 MET feb 98