OSCE Mission discusses international community's concern with Croatian President

ZAGREB, 08 July, 2002 - The Head of the OSCE Mission to Croatia, Ambassador Peter Semneby, was received today by Croatian President Stjepan Mesic, to discuss issues of concern to the OSCE and to the international community and to talk about follow up from the Mission's latest Progress Report.

Ambassador Semneby said that the Constitutional Law on National Minorities should incorporate advice from the international community. He added that it was important to remove the remaining obstacles to the return of refugees and to create an atmosphere throughout the country that is more favourable to the return.

Ambassador Semneby mentioned that the OSCE Mission and the Danish European Union (EU) Presidency agreed that the Mission can support Croatia in meeting the conditions for EU integration, since the agendas of the OSCE and the EU are based on shared values.

He commended Foreign Minister Picula's remarks on minority rights at the Riga Summit of NATO aspirant countries, and added that the Summit had demonstrated that the work of the OSCE will also facilitate Croatia's NATO aspirations.

The consultations on the formation of a new government were also discussed. Ambassador Semneby stated that Croatia's international commitments will remain. He added that a new government would have the opportunity to make an additional commitment to several issues related to the Mission's mandate, including minority rights, refugee return, media legislation, judicial reform and police reform.