CROATIA EXPECTS POSITIVE EVALUATION OF ITS LEGAL SYSTEM

ZAGREB, Dec 14 (Hina) - A two-day symposium "The Independence of the Judiciary in Croatia" ended in Zagreb yesterday. It was the fourth symposium on legal topics to be organized by the Justice Ministry and the Council of Europe this year. Justice Minister Ivica Crnic said the Council of Europe intended to get acquainted with the legal system in Croatia and the way it worked in practice could be crucial for Croatia's admission to the Council of Europe. The first symposium discussed penal sanctions, the second concentrated on juvenile delinquency while the third focused on the role of the Justice Ministry in the rule of law. The independence of the judiciary, the subject of the fourth sympsium, was a very important matter because the independent judiciary guaranteed and promoted democracy, Crnic said. Asked about the Council of Europe's assessment of the Croatian judiciary, Crnic said: "Talks with Council of Europe experts show that Croatia is on the right path and that some of its legal solutions exceeded modern European standards." He expressed confidence that the final evaluation of the legal situation in Croatia would be positive. Crnic said that legislation on ownership and land registers was being prepared because it would be impossible to make investments if land owners were unknown. (hina) mm vm 141201 MET dec 94