Implementation of minority employment of utmost importance, OSCE Mission Head says

ZAGREB, 21 May 2007 - The implementation of the minority recruitment goals set out in the Croatian Government's 2007 Employment Plan is of utmost importance, Jorge Fuentes, Head of the OSCE Mission to Croatia, said at a roundtable discussion held in Parliament today.

The focus was on Article 22 of the Constitutional Law on the Rights of National Minorities concerning employment of national minority members in the State administration.

"The employment of minorities encompasses three very important aspects of the integration process: the overall benefit for minorities, enhanced public respect as well as confidence in State institutions, and a favorable environment for minorities and refugees," Ambassador Fuentes said. He found it encouraging that, for the first time, minority employment figures were included in the 2007 Civil Service Employment Plan.

To address all aspects of the Constituional Law's minority employment guarantee, the Mission to Croatia will organize another roundtable later this year, which will focus on the employment of national minorities in judiciary, the Head of Mission announced.

"Croatia has shown it is mature enough to move ahead and be a role model for neighbouring countries," Prime Minister Ivo Sanader said. "Minorities in Croatia should not represent a threat but an opportunity from which every society should benefit. This roundtable illustrates our efforts to strengthen democracy and democratic values, which will have a positive impact on other countries in the region. We hope that our neighbours will apply the same standards to minorities in their countries, and we invite them to join us in the EU integration process."

"Croatia has brought forward all necessary legislation to ensure the highest standard in the protection of minority rights," said Antun Palaric, State Secretary of the Central State Administration Office, adding that the roundtable represents a directive towards full implementation of the Constitutional Law on the Rights of National Minorities and its provisions at all levels.

The event, organized by the Mission to Croatia and the Central State Administration Office, was attended by government officials and representatives of national minorities and international organizations.