CROATIAN FOREIGN MINISTER RECEIVES LENI FISCHER

( Editorial: --> 4536 ) ZAGREB, June 29 (Hina) - Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic on Monday received the chairwoman of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly, Leni Fischer. Granic informed Fischer about the Programme for the Return and accommodation of Displaced Persons, refugees and Exiled Persons which was drafted in cooperation with the UNHCR and adopted by the Croatian government and by the Parliament on June 26. He expressed satisfaction about the decisions of the EU Council of Ministers, especially about the announcement of its participation at the conference for reconstruction and development, the Croatian foreign Ministry said in a statement. Fischer hailed the adoption of the return programme and stressed the importance of its implementation. "Croatia fully advocates the fulfilment of all commitments, along with maintaining national interests, and will thus consistently implement the return programme." Granic said. He expressed hope that such Croatian policy would lead to Croatia's accession into the PHARE programme and to the start of negotiations on a cooperation agreement with the European union. Regarding relations with neighbours, Granic stressed Croatia was investing great efforts towards a lasting solution to open issues and had suggested a solution to the security issue of Prevlaka (Croatia's southernmost sliver of land). Croatia is actively supporting the peace process in Bosnia- Herzegovina and advocates a consistent implementation of the Dayton Agreement, Granic stressed. The talks also focused on the situation in Kosovo . Fischer and Granic described Kosovo as the most dangerous crisis spot in Europe. Granic stressed that Croatia fully supported the stance of the international community on the need to intensify efforts aimed at reaching a political solution with international mediation and presence, the statement said. (hina) lml as 292011 MET jun 98