Minister Gordan Jandroković signed in Namur, Belgium, Cooperation Agreement between Croatian Government, Francophone Community, Wallonia, and Commission of Brussels-Capital Region Francophone Community

Minister Jandroković expressed satisfaction over the signing of the Agreement, saying it represented a framework for the strengthening of the friendly relations and development of bilateral cooperation between Croatia, Wallonia, the Francophone Community and the Brussels-Capital Region

On the Belgian part, the Agreement was signed by Minister-President of Wallonia and the Francophone Community Rudy Demotte and Minister at the Commission of the Francophone Community and Secretary of State for Public Sanitation and Monument Conservation of the Brussels-Capital Region Emir Kir.

Minister Jandroković expressed satisfaction over the signing of the Agreement, saying it represented a framework for the strengthening of the friendly relations and development of bilateral cooperation between Croatia, Wallonia, the Francophone Community and the Brussels-Capital Region.

He was especially pleased that the Agreement was signed during the Belgian EU presidency, thanking Belgium for the support towards Croatia’s accession process, as and all the regional assistance components. He also thanked Wallonia and the Francophone Community for supporting Croatia’s EU membership. He said that Croatia expected to close three chapters at tomorrow’s intergovernmental conference, describing it as an important step towards the completion of the negotiations planned for the first half of 2011, and then signing the Accession Agreement.

Pointing out that in certain areas Croatia and Wallonia had already established successful cooperation, such as the one between the Croatian Chamber of Economy and the Walloon Export and Investment Promotion Agency, Minister Jandroković said he hoped the Agreement would further enhance the economic, cultural and scientific cooperation. He pointed out as an important aspect the possibility of airport linkage and recalled this month’s visit by Walloon representatives to the Dubrovnik-Neretva County to discuss linking Dubrovnik with Walloon airports.

He also emphasized the importance of promoting the French language in Croatian schools, universities and other public institutions. He expressed hope in the upgrade of cooperation with Wallonia and the Francophone Community in science, education, communication and information technology.

In charge of implementing the Agreement is the Joint Standing Committee, to hold its first meeting sometime next year in Wallonia and then pass the Cooperation Program for the next two-year period.

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