OSCE Permanent Council discusses progress report on Croatia

VIENNA, 6 June 2002 - The 55-nation Permanent Council of the OSCE discussed a report on Croatia's progress in meeting its international commitments today.

The six-month report received broad support from the OSCE Portuguese Chairmanship, the delegations of the European Union and the United States, as well as other OSCE delegations, who stressed the Mission's findings on areas where progress has been achieved and recommendations for improvement where more work is needed.

"We welcome the improved dialogue and co-operation between the OSCE Mission in Croatia and the Croatian Government on issues related to the OSCE Mandate", said Ambassador Joao de Lima Pimentel, the Permanent Council's Chairman. He also encouraged the strengthening of this dialogue.

The OSCE Chairmanship commended the Croatian Government and encouraged it to pursue work in priority areas identified in the report, which include the further development of a favourable climate for refugee return and regional co-operation on this issue, the strengthening of the rule of law, reform of the judiciary and a more effective involvement of national minorities in society.

Ambassador Pimentel added that many of the OSCE Mission's priorities were identified in the Stabilization and Association Agreement between Croatia and the European Union as well as in the European Commission's first progress report on Croatia, as fundamental conditions for Croatia's progress towards EU membership.