Doc. 8523

17 September 1999

Honouring of obligations and commitments by Croatia

Recommendation 1405 (1999)

Reply from the Committee of Ministers

adopted at the 679^th meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies (15 September 1999)

The Committee of Ministers has paid particular attention to the honouring of its commitments and obligations by Croatia. It notes that the Parliamentary Assembly regretted, in its Recommendation adopted in April 1999, that Croatia had made little progress in honouring commitments and obligations in a number of areas. It reiterates the Parliamentary Assembly's invitation to the Croatian authorities to take - or to complete - the necessary measures, and, in the case of the series of measures referred to in sub. para. viii of the Recommendation, to do so before the end of October 1999.

On the basis of an analysis by the Secretariat, the Deputies’ Rapporteur Group for Democratic Stability (GR-EDS) has examined, on a regular basis, the implementation of co-operation programmes with Croatia in relation to its obligations and commitments and has recommended, wherever necessary, adaptations and amendments.

In 1999, co-operation with Croatia has been focussed on:

-       compatibility of legislation and practice with the European Convention of Human Rights and the relevant European Court of Human Rights case-law;

-       legislative expertise on important legal texts, such as the draft law on implementation of sentences, the draft law on telecommunications and the draft electoral law. In certain cases, the experts’ opinions have not yet been followed by the Croatian Parliament;

-       promotion of European and democratic studies;

-       training of journalists and media professionals (in this context, particular attention was paid to journalists from Eastern Slavonia);

-       support to civil society and NGOs.

Co-operation with Croatia will continue to benefit from a high priority in the future, in particular in relation to the Council of Europe programme for Stability in South-East Europe. Moreover, close and permanent contacts with the OSCE Mission in Croatia will be maintained and intensified. The Stability Pact for South-East Europe will also create favourable opportunities for deepening this co-operation.

Where the Parliamentary Assembly's reiterated appeal to member States is concerned (paragraph 2.ii of the Recommendation) to increase their financial assistance and expertise for mine clearance and to offer financial aid for reconstruction and development in the war affected areas of Croatia, the Committee of Ministers agreed to bring this appeal to the attention of member Governments