Strasbourg, 15 April 1996

Conclusions on the various Reports concerning the state of Local Democracy in Croatia

Rapporteurs: Mr G. Martini (Italy) and Mr J.-M. Chevrot (France)

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TAKE CARE : 2 VERSIONS SUBMITTED TO COPENHAGEN

front page : local democracy or local and regional democracy second page first sentence : revised draft or revised drafting change according to versions chosen in Copenhagen

The Bureau, at its meeting in Copenhagen on 15 April 1996, adopted the conclusions contained in document CG/BUR (2) 101, taking into account the revised draft of paragraph G. and following paragraphs:

G. In conclusion expresses its concern about the following problems arising with local and regional democracy in Croatia:

33. appointment by the President of the Republic of the Mayor of the city/region of Zagreb and the President's authority under the law to appoint the Presidents of the regions in the same way, such appointment and authority being contrary to pluralist democracy and the principles of local self-government (see paragraphs 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14),

34. the President of the Republic's violent attacks on transfrontier and inter-regional co-operation (see paragraphs 24 and 25),

35. the status of bilingualism in Istria, an advantage and a cultural asset which must not be jeopardised (see paragraphs 22 and 23), and the need to adopt a regional statute suited to this situation of bilingualism (see paragraph 21), and

36. the importance for the regions recently restored to Croatia of recovering a multi-ethnic population comparable with the earlier situation and of being in a position to hold local and regional elections as soon as possible (see paragraphs 15, 16 and 17).

H. Considers that the Council of Europe's stance in respect of Croatia will have an impact on the other countries in the region and must therefore be viewed in the light of the international community's efforts to engender a state of peace in the countries originating from the former Yugoslav Federation.

I. Brings the above problems to the attention of the Parliamentary Assembly and the Committee of Ministers and invites them, when they examine Croatia's accession to the Council of Europe, to seek appropriate guarantees from the Croatian authorities that the necessary reforms will be implemented within a given time-limit.

J. Considers it necessary for the Congress to monitor the evolution of local and regional democracy in Croatia and in particular the implementation of the recommendations made in F. above. In so doing, the Congress can rely on the Local Democracy Embassies and in addition arrange periodical missions by Congress delegations. In due course, by the end of 1997, the Congress should organise a major Conference on the progress of local and regional democracy in Croatia, an idea which has already gained the support of the Croatian authorities and which will allow a final assessment of the issue.