CROATIA'S OFFICIALS COMMENT ON ADMISSION TO COUNCIL OF EUROPE

BRUSSELS, Oct 16 (Hina) - Senior Croatian government and parliament officials on Wednesday commented on a decision by the Council of Europe to admit Croatia as its 40th member. "Croatia's admission to the Council of Europe is an important precondition for its entry into integration processes in Central Europe and for establishing closer ties with the European Union," Prime Minister Zlatko Matesa said in Brussels. "Croatia has shown that it respects and complies with its international commitments," Matesa said. Foreign Minister Mate Granic, who is also in Brussels, said that Croatia could now focus its efforts on joing Central European integrations and NATO's Partnership for Peace programme. Its final goal was to enter the EU and NATO, he added. The head of the parliamentary delegation to the Council of Europe, Zarko Domljan, told Hina in Zagreb that Croatia's accession to the Council ended "a painful period for Croatia." "However, we shouldn't have any illusions that Europe and the world will leave us alone," Domljan said, adding that Croatia would now be able "to fight from within for its position and political reputation. We'll have the opportunity to defend our views with stronger arguments." (hina) vm mm 161421 MET oct 96