CROATIAN PARLIAMENT LOWER HOUSE BEGINS SESSION

ZAGREB, Jan 15 (Hina) - At the beginning of the 16th session of the Parliament House of Representatives on Wednesday morning, the Croatian Parliament's President Vlatko Pavletic, spoke of January 15, 1992, when first European countries recognized the independent Republic of Croatia. Exactly five years ago, on this day, several European countries recognized the Republic of Croatia. That was first and crucial recognition, and following it many other countries acknowledged Croatia, so that currently a total of 128 countries in the world have recognized our country, and we have established regular diplomatic relations with 120 of them, Pavletic told the Parliament. He noted that recognition ensued after decisive steps which the Parliament (Croatian Sabor) made. In February 1991, the Parliament revoked all powers of the federal organs of the (the former Yugoslavia). On June 25, 1991 the Parliament made the conclusion on disassociation and since then by the sovereign decision of the Croatian Parliament, the Republic of Croatia has been proclaimed a sovereign and independent country, severing, finally and for ever, all relations with Yugoslavia, at a session held on November 8, 1991, outside the Parliament's building for security reasons, Pavletic said. He recalled that Croatia has been a member-state of the United Nations since May 22, 1992, and the 40th member-country of the Council of Europe since November 6, 1996. Croatia is now a geostrategic and unavoidable political factor for solving any problem in this part of the world, Pavletic said. Speaking of priorities in the foreign policy, Pavletic stressed that they must aid the strengthening of Croatia and its economy as a prerequisite for the overall progress. He said that the first priority was "completion of the peaceful reintegration process of the Croatian Danubian area within set time limits" which should not been prolonged. He reminded the session that the Croatian Parliament had maintained the lasting line of Croatia's statehood for long centuries. "This is something of which the entire Croatia has the right to be proud," he said adding that it also bound the current Parliament to contribute, responsibly and successfully by its political and legislative decisions, to the planned completion of the process of reintegrating all Croatian areas within Croatian internationally-recognized borders. At the very beginning of the session the national anthem was struck up, and parliamentarians observed a minute of silence for Croatian defenders and war victims. (hina) mŠ 151116 MET jan 97