The State Secretary said that the entry of the Republic of Croatia into the European Union would be a major step towards the stabilisation of South East Europe. On its road to the EU, Croatia will continue to carry out all initiated reforms, and unselfishly share its precious experience with its neighbours. He also said that the Republic of Croatia takes its cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia extremely seriously, and that it will continue to do its best to dispel any suspicion of Croatia's poor cooperation.

Minister Lidington restated the strong support of the United Kingdom to the EU enlargement process. In that light, he expressed support for Croatia's forthcoming closing of the negotiating chapter “Justice and Fundamental Rights” and for the continuation of the negotiating process with the EU, based on strict meeting of the set EU criteria, including the cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal. Minister Lidington also took interest in Croatia’s views of the situation in South East Europe.

State Secretary Božinović stressed the necessity of offering the clear European perspective to all countries of South East Europe, adding that Croatia has been devoted to that task. He suggested cooperation between the Republic of Croatia and the United Kingdom in assisting the countries of the region on their road to the EU and NATO, which will result in the lasting stabilisation of South East Europe.

In the meeting the parties confirmed the partnership of two allies within the NATO who put a great deal of effort in improving the grave safety situation in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, and in the stabilisation of the situation in the Western Balkans.

Press releases