The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe Permanent Council considered a report on Croatia submitted by the head of the OSCE's Mission to the country, Peter Semneby, in Vienna on Thursday.

Semneby highlighted the improved climate and relations between the Croatian government and the OSCE Mission. Numerous projects are being jointly worked on, but there are several issues from the Mission's mandate that need to be resolved, he said. These are related to refugee returns, the adoption of a constitutional law on the rights of minorities, the completion of frameworks for media laws, and the resumption of the reform of the judiciary.

Most delegations to the Permanent Council applauded the improved co-operation between the OSCE Mission and the Croatian government. They expected the open issues would be resolved soon so that Croatia might accelerate its progress towards Euro-Atlantic integration.

(NewsBase 25.xi.02)