VAN DEN BROEK: E.U. WANTS TO STRENGTHEN ITS TIES WITH CROATIA

VUKOVAR, Oct 28 (Hina) - The European Union wants to strengthen its ties with Croatia and the successful completion of the peaceful reintegration of the UN-administered Croatian Danube region will certainly be a step in that direction, European Commissioner for External Affairs Hans van den Broek said on Tuesday. Speaking to reporters in Vukovar, the region's main town, after the opening of an apartment building which had been rebuilt with EU funds, Van den Broek said that peaceful reintegration was exceptionally important for the relations between Croatia and the European Union. Great progress has been made, but the remaining problems should also be resolved, Van den Broek said, expressing hope for successful completion of the reintegration process. There's no going back, only forward towards peaceful reintegration and the coexistence of all people in this area, he said. (hina) vm 282048 MET oct 97