$ MENTS ZAGREB, Feb 5 (Hina) - Concluding a discussion on several bills about the ratification of international agreements, the Croatian Parliament House of Representatives ended Wednesday's work. The Lower House discussed in urgent
procedure the final Bill on the ratification of an agreement between the Holy See and Croatia on legal issues.
AGREE
$ MENTS
ZAGREB, Feb 5 (Hina) - Concluding a discussion on several bills about the +
ratification of
international agreements, the Croatian Parliament House of Representatives +
ended
Wednesday's work.
The Lower House discussed in urgent procedure the final Bill on the +
ratification of
an agreement between the Holy See and Croatia on legal issues. #L#
Explaining the agreement signed on 18 December 1996, Croatian Vice Premier
Ljerka Mintas Hodak stressed that the agreement established a legal framework +
for the
regulation of relations between Croatia and the Catholic church in Croatia.
Members of the Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS) and Social Democratic +
Party
(SDP) held that Croatia would be obliged to sign such agreements with other +
churches.
HSLS members expressed fear that the agreement was not in the interest of the +
Church
nor the Croatian state.
They described as disputable the provision stipulating that in case of a court
investigation, justice authorities are to inform church authorities prior to +
the investiga
Members of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) held that the agreement did not
encroach upon Croatia's sovereignty and that its provisions were in accordance +
with the
Constitution.
The members of the HDZ stressed the historical relations between the Croatian
people and the Holy See and held that via this agreement, Croatia was being +
placed in a
certain civilisation circle to which it had always belonged.
Member of the Croatian Pure Party of Rights also endorsed the agreement.
The Lower House on Wednesday concluded discussions about a Bill on ratifying +
an
agreement and contract on a loan among the Council of Europe Fund for Social
Development, the Croatian government and Croatian banks.
The House also concluded a discussion on two bills on the ratification of
agreements on the consolidation of Croatia's debt with the Norwegian government+
and
Kuwaiti government.
(hina) lm jn
052023 MET feb 97