TRAVEL REPORT The Hon. Michael Atkinson MP Attorney-General ...

more common, the Government has not made concerted efforts to encourageits use .Mr Gordan Bakota spoke on the E.U . process in beginning harmonising andadjusting regulations and legislation . This process has not caused politicaldisputation although there is an anti-globalisation movement in Croatia, as inother countries . It must be noted that 60 - 70 per cent of the populationsupport entry to the E .U . Entry to NATO is also sought and the issue is notonly considered of military importance, but of political and cultural importanceas well . Croatia is already involved in NATO's Partnership for Peace,emphasising an open door policy to the world . Croatia maintains a strongcommitment to regional co-operation and candidacy for these otherorganisations does not affect commitment to the area .Croatia has indicated its desire to be a candidate for membership of the U .N .Security Council in 2007 . Their possible membership is considered a goodthing for the region, as it indicates the progress achieved in the Balkansduring the last few years and they feel it would be a stabilising factor. It ishoped that the progress they have achieved will be recognised and Croatiawill be seen as deserving a place on the Council for this region . It would alsoserve as an example of how international law is being encouraged in thearea .The Croatian Government deeply appreciates the help given by Australianhumanitarian organisations . Relations with BiH (Bosnia and Herzegovina) arean ongoing process . Some aspects of both central and local authorities needenhancement, especially on the matter of European standards in the rule oflaw . However, Croatia enjoys friendly relations with BiH sharing long borderswhich have been free of disputation .Although Kosovo was seen as an internal affair for Serbiaand Montenegro(SiM), the situation was very fragile . Having Mr Tadic elected president wasseen as very positive and Croatia could provide support in the process of SiMentering the E.U . Croatia is happy to assist because other transitionalcountries such as Slovakia were especially helpful towards Croatia and alsobecause E.U . membership is seen as good for the whole region .One matter that is of concern, already the subject of a Diplomatic Note, is thecurrent Australian visa regime . The application form contains questions aboutactivities during the war . Many Croatian people consider this as harassmentbut it also presents them with technical problems in that if people provide suchinformation they are violating Croatian law . (this same issue was raised bythe Slovenian authorities) A small number of Croatian visas have beenrefused but there is no information on how many are being discouraged .They expressed their disappointment that Alexander Downer had not visitedtheir country but said that there was an open invitation for him . Croatia hasexcellent co-operation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the formerYugoslavia (I .C.T.Y .) .Travel Report, Hon . Michael Atkinson, M.P. and Ms. Vini Ciccarello M.P., August, 2004 39