Local authorities have key role in Croatia's EU path, OSCE Mission Head says

ZAGREB, 20 February 2003 - Local authorities will have an important role to play in the process of fulfilling political criteria necessary for EU membership, the Head of the OSCE Mission to Croatia, Ambassador Peter Semneby, said at the end of a two-day tour of the Knin area on Thursday.

"We have an intense agenda before us, particularly since the OSCE mandate is virtually identical to the political prerequisites for European Union membership," Semneby said ahead of Friday's submission by the Croatian Government of an application for EU membership.

In meetings with the Mayors of Knin, Split, Udbina and Plitvicka Jezera, and with the Prefect of the Sibenik-Knin county, Semneby said the two main challenges facing local authorities in fulfilling EU political criteria were the implementation of the recently adopted Constitutional Law on National Minorities and return of refugees and their property.

After the adoption of a Constitutional Law on National Minorities by parliament in December 2002 the onus was now shifting to local authorities to implement the law, Semneby said.

Ambassador Semneby said he expected more policy initiatives on the return of refugees in addition to the positive legislative changes recently adopted. These changes were important as they laid the groundwork in fulfilling political prerequisites for EU membership.

"It is also important to add further energy in resolving the issue of return at local levels," said the OSCE Head of Mission.

He said not only were material conditions necessary for return but also the creation of an atmosphere within receiving communities which would be conducive to the successful reintegration of all those that wish to return.

"The proposal on housing for returnees who used to have occupancy/tenancy rights, recently presented by Minister Cacic, does not resolve all the problems but if access to adequate housing is provided without time constraints and to all those who wish to return, than this can be seen as an important step forward," said Ambassador Semneby.