COUNCIL OF EUROPE REMINDS CROATIA OF ITS OBLIGATIONS

ZAGREB, 4 June (Hina) - Ministerial Council of the Council of Europe decided in Strasbourg Tuesday to send a letter to the Croatian government demanding that it respect obligations for membership in that European integration it had accepted earlier. Spokesperson of the Council of Europe Christiane Dennemayer said the letter would be sent to Mate Granic, Croatian Deputy PM and Foreign Minister, "very soon." "The letter does not contain any deadlines, just the principles and our expectations. There is nothing new, we are just reiterating contentious matters where we expect that Croatia will make concrete progress. Those matters have already been reported by the media," said in a telephone interview for Hina Spokesperson of the Council of Europe. The Croatian government is expected to respond to the letter, which will be signed by Estonian Foreign Minister Siim Kallas, "as soon as possible." "It is Croatia's turn now", said Christine Dennemeyer. According to her, Ministerial Council will resume "considering the situation" as soon as it gets Croatia's response. "We have not decided when that will happen, because that will depend on the Croatian side," added Spokesperson of the Council of Europe. mr (Hina) 042046 MET jun 96