Sabor Speaker, Catholic Bishops' Conference head hold talks

Zagreb - Croatian Parliament Speaker Josip Leko and the chairman of the Croatian Bishops' Conference (HBK), the Archbishop of Zadar, Zelimir Puljic, on Monday held talks on the relations between the Catholic Church and the government and Croatia's European Union membership.

Leko said that in the past 18 months the national legislature had done an important job for Croatia's admission to the EU on 1 July and pointed out that one of the important roles of the Sabor in the EU would be to preserve Croatian national interests.

Puljic was quoted as saying that he was satisfied with the fact that a majority of parliamentary sessions are held in a democratic manner. The dignitary said that the Catholic Church supported efforts aimed at preserving Croatia's identity within the EU. The two officials agreed that it was necessary to maintain permanent dialogue between the state and the Church.

Leko expressed understanding for the viewpoints of the Church and added that, while adopting laws, the Sabor must protect interests of all Croatian citizens and all minorities in the way that no one would feel discriminated against. Puljic expressed satisfaction with the fact that Croatia has recognised the legal personality of the Catholic Church and that the treaties with the Holy See also serve as a model for regulating the relations between the Croatian state and other religious communities. (Hina)

Author: Hina