State Secretary Marija Pejčinović Burić and Co-Chairman of the Mixed Croatia-Baden-Württemberg Commission Gordan Bakota met with State and European Affairs Minister and German Co-Chair of the Commission Willi Stächele

The parties agreed at the meetings that the relations and co-operation between Croatia and Baden-Württemberg are at an enviable level, to which the Mixed Commission too has contributed, which in its protocol from March this year foresees the co-operation in European integration, economy, culture and arts, science and education, police co-operation, tourism, state administration, agriculture, forestry, and environmental protection.

Croatian President Stjepan Mesić and Minister Stächele talked about strengthening the economic co-operation between Croatia and Baden-Württemberg. Minister Stächele pointed out that tourism will be one of the main topics of the Mixed Commission’s next session, adding that more middle-sized companies need to focus on the Croatian economy. President Mesić said that Croatia is working on meeting the European standards in all areas of life, pointing out that when it comes to investing in economy, Croatia has mostly finished building its traffic infrastructure, and is working on reforming is land registry and improving the overall working environment. Minister Stächele expressed full support to Croatia’s efforts in acceding to the EU.

Vice-Prime Minister Damir Polančec informed Minister Stächele about the Croatian Government’s achievements so far in conducting the economic reforms, and presented those that are currently in progress or will follow, such as the restructuring of railways and privatising the daughter companies, defining the long-term shipbuilding strategy, privatising the portfolio of the Croatian Privatisation Fund, continuing with the privatisation of INA and Croatian Telecom, as well as the justice and land registry reform. Polančec also pointed out the importance of the Croatian version of the one stop shop, the passing of the law on free zones, and the opening of the agency for the stimulation of foreign investment as projects that will increase the competitiveness and enable the growth of GDP and foreign investment. Minister Stächele said he is impressed with Croatia’s determination in conducting these reforms, saying that the projects sound excellent and the reforms convincing. He also invited Vice-Prime Minister Polančec to visit Baden-Württemberg, which he accepted.

State Secretary at the MFAEI Pejčinović-Burić informed Minister Stächele with Croatia’s achievements in acceding to the EU and thanked him for the excellent co-operation with the Baden-Württemberg mission at Brussels. The state secretary further emphasised the importance of cross-border and regional co-operation for Croatia, in which Baden-Württemberg’s experience would prove extremely useful. Minister Stächele expressed his admiration at Croatia’s achievements, both political and economic, adding that he is personally ready to share all of the EU experiences with Croatia.

State Secretary at the Ministry of Economy, Labour and Entrepreneurship Tajana Kesić Šapić informed Minister Stächele about the incentives for the development of small and middle-sized entrepreneurship, and investment climate in Croatia for domestic and foreign investment. She pointed out in particular the technical help that German GTZ is offering Croatia in cluster development and cluster management education. Minister Stächele offered help in transferring the knowledge and experience, as it is small and middle-sized companies that are the main catalyst for economic development in Baden-Württemberg. He suggested that a presentation of Croatia’s development measures be held before the representatives of Baden-Württemberg’s chambers of economy, and a visit be organised within the Commission to vocational schools and economic centres in Baden-Württemberg. The Croatian side is particularly interested in the internationalisation of Croatian clusters and their linking with those from Europe for a joint appearance at other markets.

Co-Chair of the Commission Gordan Bakota said that the Croatian side is currently investigating the possibilities of co-operation between the relevant bodies to appear with concrete proposals to the German partners at the Commission’s first working session, to be held this year 7-8 December in Stuttgart, which will be followed by a unique presentation of Croatian economy, tourism and culture in spring 2006 in Baden-Württemberg.

Minister Stächele and his delegation also visited the Mayor of the City of Zagreb, Milan Bandić, where they in a cordial atmosphere exchanged experiences in running the communal and other projects, and proposed the continuation of the co-operation between the two capitals, Zagreb and Stuttgart. The German delegation was also received by Head of the National and University Library prof. Petar Stipanov, who familiarised them with the library’s activities and its extremely valuable collection of books.