OSCE Chairman encourages Croatia to continue refugee return efforts

ZAGREB/ZADAR, 11 May 2004 - Ending a two-day visit to Croatia during which he met returnees near the southern town of Zadar, OSCE Chairman-in Office Solomon Passy congratulated the Croatian Government for making the resolution of the problem of refugees and displaced persons a top priority.

"The OSCE will continue to support Croatia's efforts towards refugee return and to strengthen the judiciary in light of the completion strategy of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia," the Bulgarian Foreign Minister said today.

The Croatian Government has made strong efforts in promoting reconciliation and bringing the ethnic communities together, he added.

"This open and consistent policy received the well-deserved support of the international community. It culminated in the decision of 20 April 2004 of the European Commission to recommend the start of negotiations with Croatia for accession to the EU."

Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader today accompanied OSCE Chairman Passy to the southern coastal town of Zadar and its hinterland to observe at first hand the situation of refugees and returnee families.

They met local authorities and visited refugee return sites in the war-affected villages of Zemunik Donji, Zemunik Gornji, Biljane Donje and Benkovacko Selo. Government ministers, national minority representatives and members of the diplomatic community also participated in the visit.

Minister Passy began his visit yesterday in Zagreb, where he met President Stjepan Mesic, Foreign Minister Miomir Zuzul and members of Parliament.

During discussions related to the mandate of the OSCE Mission, he noted that the work of the OSCE and the EU integration process were complementary.