On Monday, 20 June 2001, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Gordan Jandroković participated in the forum of foreign ministers of European Union Member States and Southeast European countries held in Luxembourg af

Minister Jandroković expressed satisfaction with his participation in this forum at a time when Croatia's negotiations are drawing to a close and thanked the European Union Member States for their support of Croatia throughout this process

Minister Jandroković expressed satisfaction with his participation in this forum at a time when Croatia's negotiations are drawing to a close and thanked the European Union Member States for their support of Croatia throughout this process. He called to mind the European Commission's recent statement inviting Member States to conclude the negotiation process with Croatia and expressed his firm belief that the European Council would also confirm the end of accession negotiations with Croatia, thus allowing for the signing of the Accession Treaty during Poland's presidency of the European Union.

The Minister also recalled the numerous reforms introduced by Croatia that are still ongoing as well as the precisely defined and met benchmarks. The success of Croatia's negotiation process is also reflected in the strengthening of the European Union's enlargement policy and at the same time it has sent a strong message of encouragement to the entire region of Southeast Europe. The Minister added that the region's European perspective was the best way of ensuring a stable and prosperous future.

Referring to regional cooperation as an important element of Croatia's European integration process, Minister Jandroković pointed out that while travelling along this path Croatia had provided support to its neighbouring countries and that it would continue to share the experiences and knowledge that it had acquired during the negotiation process.

Croatia uses numerous forums to promote regional cooperation. Thus, it recently also contributed to the adoption of the Danube strategy. Together with Slovenia, as Minister Jandroković said, the Brdo Process which promotes regional and economic cooperation at the practical and political level was launched. The Minister did not fail to mention the improved cooperation at the recent ministerial meeting of Central European Initiative member states in Trieste.

Minister Jandroković thanked both the European Commission for effective cooperation during the negotiation process and Hungary's presidency of the European Union for the support that contributed to the successful conclusion of Croatia's accession negotiations.



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