COOK: EU COMPLAINT AGAINST TUDJMAN NOT RECEIVING EU TROIKA

( Editorial: --> 9529 ) EDINBURGH, March 14 (Hina) - At an informal meeting in Edinburgh on Friday, European Union foreign ministers expressed grievance because of Croatian President Franjo Tudjman not receiving the EU troika led by British State Minister for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Tony Loyd, said British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook, currently presiding in the EU, on behalf of his colleagues. Talking at a press conference following the completion of the first day of the ministers' meeting, Cook, according to a footage shown on Croatian Television on Friday evening, mentioned that the European 15 agreed to lodge a complaint because of the visit being declined. Cook said that the ministers unanimously expressed grievance because of Tudjman's decision not to receive the European delegation that was in Zagreb. Cook said that the troika wanted to protest against parts of Tudjman's recent party covention speech which the ministers thought to be nationalistic. He added that on behalf of the presidency of the European Union and the European troika he will clearly let Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic know at his upcoming visit to London that if Croatia does not meet with the troika in Zagreb, then the troika will only meet with Croatia when Europe decides. In his statement Cook said that the EU "insists" that Tudjman must receive the troika in Zagreb. If Croatia wishes to continue developing closer ties with the European Union, then it must accept discussion on themes suggested by the EU and listen to concerns which EU wish to express, concluded Cook. (hina) jn mrb 141229 MET mar 98