In his speech Minister Jandroković extended his thanks to the Republic of Turkey for its successful chairmanship over the SEECP in the past period, as well as for the organisation of the Ministerial Meeting. He placed special emphasis on the importance of the SEECP as one of the most relevant multilateral forums in the field of regional cooperation which makes possible the identification of common interests and creation of grounds for the development of concrete projects. He expressed his view that Turkey had made a positive step forward in making the best use of regional potentials by placing focus on the fields of commerce, transport, economy and finances during the period of its chairmanship.

The membership of all countries of the South East Europe in Euroatlantic structures is a common goal of the countries active in the SEECP, said Minister Jandroković, adding that the recent conference in Sarajevo on South East Europe provided encouragement and gave message to all countries in the region to be persistent in carrying out the necessary reforms. In that respect, he said that the Republic of Croatia, as a country in the final phase of the negotiating process with the European Union, can provide assistance to the countries of the region in their process of accession to the EU, adding that they have Croatia’s full support on that road. He reminded of the concrete moves that the Government of the Republic of Croatia had already made in that respect, such as handing over the translations of the acquis to the countries of South East Europe. He also greeted the Recommendation of the European Commission on abolishing the visa regime for the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Albania at the end of the year.

Minister Jandroković emphasised that all countries should separate issues related to negotiations from any unsolved bilateral issues with neighbouring countries during the process of their accession to the EU. He said that the building of good neighbourly relations, based on trust, understanding and cooperation, is of extreme importance for solving open issues. He also mentioned the positive example of finding the solution for the border dispute between the Republic of Croatia and the Republic of Slovenia.

In his speech he lent support to Slovenia's application for the membership in the SEECP saying that that would add a new dimension and enrich discussion within the forum.

Referring to the Republic of Serbia as an important partner in the building of regional stability, he expressed his satisfaction that the two countries had entered a new and constructive phase in the past period which is reflected in intensive cooperation in numerous fields. Concrete results are also visible in the recent signing of the Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Defence between Croatia and Serbia.

Minister Jandroković also said that Croatia is taking an active part in trilateral talks with Bosnia and Herzegovina and Turkey which are aimed at encouraging the necessary reforms and finding mutual economic potentials. Together with its other partners within the SEECP, Croatia was a strong advocate of accepting Bosnia and Herzegovina's application for a NATO Membership Action Plan.

He placed special emphasis on the contribution of the Regional Cooperation Council, an operative body of the SEECP which turns agreed policies into concrete projects and takes part in their implementation. As a country involved in the preparation of the new strategy and the work programme for the period of 2011 to 2013, Croatia looks upon its future activities with optimism, said Minister Jandroković. In that respect, he emphasised the role of the outgoing Secretary Hido Biščević and extended his gratitude to Member States of the SEECP for their support to Mr Biščević, Croatian candidate, for a new mandate.

A host of meetings, organised by the Republic of Turkey, the current holder of chairmanship over the Southeast European Cooperation Process, is held in Istanbul in the period between 21 and 23 June. The meetings are held with a view to assessing the results of cooperation within the SEECP, and further strengthening of good neighbourly relations and developing regional dialogue. A special emphasis is placed on the impact of the world economic crisis on the region.

The topics covered in the meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs that will be held today will be the Annual Report, the RCC Strategy and Work Programme 2011-2013, and the proposal to reappoint Hido Bišćević as the Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council. It is also expected that the final version of the Closing Declaration (so called Istanbul Declaration) will be prepared. It will be adopted tomorrow at the meeting of the Heads of States and Governments of the parties to the SEECP.

Press releases