I would immediately sign Simitis’ statement about Croatia’s entry into the EU 2008

Can the recent incidents in Kranj and Belgrade damage the relations between Croatia and Serbia and Montenegro?
Our relations have been moving forward for quite some time now, but they inevitably include oscillations and standstills. This is exactly what is happening right now, because there is no other word for an attack on embassy but a grave incident. What is particularly discouraging is the fact that Serbia and Montenegro’s government described this incident as having nothing to do with politics, only with hooliganism. However, the government has taken full responsibility for the inadequate protection of Croatia’s embassy. It was obviously a case of bad security judgement. One of the lessons we must learn is that success of our bilateral relations is the result of a long series of negotiations, but that the foundations of good neighbourly relations are still rather shaky.
Are you bothered by the fact that Serbia and Montenegro’s government has not immediately condemned the incident?
Admittedly, yes. The water in the pool was still choppy when Prime Minister Račan congratulated our team and condemned the disgraceful behaviour of the fans. We have been waiting too long for a reaction from Serbia and Montenegro’s government. We are talking about the severest incident since the establishment of diplomatic relations. The relations between our countries are not ordinary bilateral relations. Everything good that happens has a special significance, but everything bad that happens has an even stronger impact.
The recent events do not benefit the content of the EU Summit that is to take place in Solun in a few days. What wil Croatia bring to the summit?
The recent events do bear a political significance, but the key for success with the EU lies in having a vision. A vision is what led to a project that is unprecedented in all European history. The next UE enlargement will have the power to erase such incidents. The Solun Summit is one of those events that will overcome our daily problems.
Why is the Solun Summit so important?
Because it will eliminate certain prejudices. It will give us the opportunity to realise that some marginal political option will become even more marginal because they see the processes within the context of enlargement as creating some Balkans associations or denying individuality. In football terms, Solun is for Croatia the end of first half. If we take the year 2000 as the beginning of the game and consider our efforts to show that we are not only the new, but also a better government than those before us, then I think we can say Croatia has set its course firmly on the right tracks. In the second half of the game, now that we know where we are going, depending on the speed, we will reach the EU in 2007, no later than 2008.
We all want Croatia to enter the EU as soon as possible, but we do not want speed to take precedence over quality. The road to the EU is paved not with talks about dates, but with successfully carried out reforms. But that does not depend solely on us. Conditions for the enlargement must also be created. It is possible that we will enter the EU a year or two later than we have originally planned – in 2007. The Greece’s Prime Minister Kostas Simitis’ statement that negotiations with Croatia will end 2008 or 2009 bears the same political significance as Günther Verheugen’s statement a few months ago. Simitis’ statement is severely underrated. I would sign it immediately, as this is the first time that a European politician of such calibre has linked Croatia’s candidacy with an specific year.
Can Croatia break the bad habit of fulfilling its obligations at the last moment and only after international pressure?
Each decision requires a certain context. International pressure is not necessarily always a bad thing. Because of its war and post-war history, different criteria apply to Croatia, that are not always easy to meet. Not necessarily because of political obstacles, but also because of the public that needs to be made ready. The battle for the public is a characteristic of all Western countries. It is important, however, that we do not fall too far behind. The Zagreb Summit was a starting shot, and the Solun Summit will be an opportunity for us to measure our timing. Croatia has been identified as a country that, albeit not always as quickly or smoothly as it should, carries out its reforms quite well, and is very likely to be the first country in the region to enter the EU.
Are you worried by the fact that the forthcoming elections might bring all EU-oriented processes to a standstill?
Three quarters of Croatian people, regardless of the changing political context, support Croatia’s entry into the EU. When we compare this with the fact that none of the Croatian political parties can win nearly as many votes, we will see that the political affiliation of those 75% of citizens very much heterogeneous. A party that risks fulfilling the obligations, risks winning the elections, and party leaders are well aware of that.
But problems might still occur. What if Croatia is faced with new indictments?
With every problem that we have solved, I think our capability to deal with the Hague indictments has grown. I doubt that co-operation with the Hague will present a problem in the future. With each step we take towards the EU, the ability of our people to face their past is growing, even regarding the war crimes Croatians committed during the War for Independence. As regards the “Gotovina case”, right now the international representatives are only waiting to see what happens.
As regards the relations with the US, Croatia’s foreign policy seems to be sending contradictory signals. Your deputy is calling for further dialogue, while president Mesić is taking a much firmer stand. What is this about?
The issue itself is contradictory and that is why our reactions might seem that way too. Both the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Croatian government want to maintain strategical relations with both the US and the EU. We have tried to explain to the US our situation and the way we perceive the functioning of the international legal system. This is not an easy decision for Croatia to make, but we can make it easier for ourselves if we stick to certain principles. We have not closed the door on negotiating with the US, but we cannot, like some other countries did, just sign the bilateral agreement without much discussion. Through talks with the US we should be able to find a bilateral way to solve that problem. This could also be the topic of the Solun Summit.

It is true that coalition is trying to enter diplomacy

What is the purpose of reorganising the Ministry of Foreign Affairs?
The purpose is to modify it organisationally and functionally so that it would meet the foreign policy aims. The old model has worn out. We should emphasise more strongly our European ambitions through a European Division. Division for Neighbour Countries is also of key importance, as our success with the EU is measured according to the relations with our neighbours as well. Division for Economic Diplomacy will be a part of the Ministry that will help both those that wish to export from Croatia and those that wish to invest in it.
Is it true that the coalition forces are trying to take advantage of this reorganisation and penetrate into the Ministry of Foreign Affairs?
Yes, it is true. I can understand the need for parties to be represented in the Ministry, but I must also point out the degree of what we are trying to do here, and that is the profesionalisation of the Ministry. it is often the case that you have to be a better diplomat with your own coalition partners that with foreign diplomats. Party appointments on the ministerial level have to stop. Regarding this combination of political and professional legitimacy, I must stress that all persons that came from other parties are highly professional. I would not even speak to them if that was not the case, let alone co-operate with them.