EU EXPECTS DEVELOPMENT OF CLOSER RELATIONS WITH CROATIA

ZAGREB, Feb 5 (Hina) - The recent appointment of a special envoy of the European Union Commission to the Republic of Croatia, Per Vinther, would facilitate the development of closer political and economic relations between the EU and Croatia, said a statement from the Special Envoy's Office forwarded to Hina on Wednesday. #L# "Bearing in mind Croatia's orientation towards European integration, the presence of the Special Envoy in the Republic of Croatia should facilitate - within Commission competencies - the development of closer political and economic relations between the European Union and the Republic of Croatia," the statement said. The European Commission appointed Per Vinther as special envoy in Croatia and presented him with credentials on Monday, 3 February. Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic should soon receive the EU Special Envoy. ""The European Commission welcomes the achievements of the successful ongoing implementation of the process on the completion of the peaceful reintegration in the region of Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Syrmium, under the UN Transitional Administration, in accordance with the Croatian government's letter of 13 January 1997, adopted in the UN Security Council Presidential Statement (S-1997-27). In this regard, the European Commission underlines the importance of the holding of elections, scheduled in accordance with the above mentioned document," the statement said. "Since Per Vinther is mandated to liaise with all the authorities of the Republic of Croatia, issues relating to Croatian Danubian region, as well as on the actions in the framework of the European Community Humanitarian Office, this nomination will also considerably ease the coordination of present activities of the European Union in Croatia," the statement said. (hina) lm jn 051853 MET feb 97