CROATIAN OFFICIAL TALKS WITH EU COMMISSIONER VAN DEN BROEK

BRUSSELS, May 24 (Hina) - Ahead of an EU ministerial session on May 29, 1995, when a final decision on Croatia's admittance to the PHARE programme should be made as well as resumption of talks on the agreement on trade and cooperation, an aide to the Croatian Foreign Minister, Ivan Simonovic, talked with EU commissioner for foreign affairs, Hans van den Broek, in Brussels on Wednesday, according to a report from the Croatian permanent mission at the EU. The Croatian high official informed Van den Broek of the situation in western Slavonia and the zones of separation. He talked about the latest wave of ethnic cleansing of Croats from Serb-occupied eastern Slavonia (Croatia) and the Banja Luka area (Bosnia). The European Commissioner supported Croatia's efforts in western Slavonia to immediately re-establish civilian authorities with full protection of human and minorities' rights of Serb residents. He also expressed satisfaction with the withdrawal of Croatian forces from the zones of separation to the positions held before May 1. Simonovic said the decision to admit Croatia to the PHARE would make possible that some of funds be earmarked for projects which will facilitate the peaceful reintegration of the temporarily occupied Croats areas. Thus, the European Union could contribute to the improvement of the situation in the region, he added. Simonovic also said it was Croatian strategic interest to be speedily accepted to the European unification. The talks were attended by Croatian Ambassador to the EU, Zoran Jasic. (hina) mms 242034 MET may 95