Press

Ratification procedure of the SAA between the EU and Croatia in Finland is officially concluded...On Friday, 19 December 2003, Ms. Tarja Halonen, President of the Republic of Finland, signed the decree on the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Croatia, by which the ratification procedure in Finland is officially concluded.22.12.2003. | Press releases

Press Release 389/03In Washington, on 18 December 2003, Croatian embassy to the US organised a Christmas concert by the Croatian pianist Lovro Pogorelić, as a part of the series of presentations of Croatian music and cultural heritage to the American public. Mr Pogorelić performed works by Modest Petrovič Musorgsky, Josip Slavenski and Sergej Prokofjev. The concert was held at the Austrian embassy.19.12.2003. | Press releases

Press Release 388/03At the Christmas and New Year’s reception organised for the representatives of the diplomatic corps in Croatia on 19 December 2003 at the Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Minister Tonino Picula reviewed the challenges and successes of the Croatian foreign policy from 2000 until today.19.12.2003. | Press releases

Press Release 387/03On 12 December 2003, the respective delegations of the Republic of Croatia and Montenegro met at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Zagreb, on the occasion of celebrating the first anniversary of signing the Protocol on Provisional Regime along the Southern Border. Mr. Tonino Picula, the Croatian Foreign Minister, received Mr. Dragiša Burzan, Montenegrin Foreign Minister, in a separate audience.12.12.2003. | Press releases

Press Release 386/03On 11 December 2003, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Belgium, issued the instruction to its Mission with the European Union to notify the Secretariat General of the Council that Belgium terminated its internal procedure for the ratification of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) between the Republic of Croatia and the European Union, while the Parliament of the Republic of Finland has ratified the SAA on 9 December at the plenary session. The ratification in Finland will take effect when Mr. Tarja Halonen, President of Finland, signs the decree, expected to take place before 25 December.12.12.2003. | Press releases

On the first day of the 5th International Congress on Human Rights....On the first day of the 5th International Congress on Human Rights, entitled “Human Rights for All – No Excuses”, organised by the Indian Institute of Human Rights and held 10-12 December 2003 in New Delhi, rewards for outstanding contribution to the promotion of the human rights were granted. Among those to receive the reward was the Croatian Ambassador to New Delhi, Dino Debeljuh.12.12.2003. | Press releases

Croatia is not on the list of countries that may compete for contracting the said job within the Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund (IRRF)...On the occasion of increased interest of the public for the list of the USA Department of Defence related to contracting for renovation of Iraq, the Croatian Foreign Ministry wishes to inform that the Republic of Croatia is not on the list of countries that may compete for contracting the said job within the Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund (IRRF). This list includes 63 states who have supported the American policy in Iraq and who have participated within coalition forces.11.12.2003. | Press releases

Yesterday's article in Novi list is full of untruths, speculations and unconfirmed information...Yesterday's article in Novi list under the heading “Picula nominated consuls to Hungary and Uruguay at the last minute” is full of untruths, speculations and unconfirmed information. This is especially surprising as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued two press-releases, on 6 and 10 December, in which it was explained in detail, that nominations for assignment of diplomats to diplomatic and consular offices were taking place according to prescribed in-house procedure pursuant to the Ministry's Regulations.11.12.2003. | Press releases

International community celebrates the 10 December as the Human Rights Day...Each year, the international community celebrates the 10 December as the Human Rights Day. Several significant events in the field of human rights are related to this day.10.12.2003. | Press releases

With reference to Mr. Ivo Sanader's interview in yesterday Dnevnik Plus at the Croatian Television...With reference to Mr. Ivo Sanader's interview in yesterday Dnevnik Plus at the Croatian Television, and allegations published in Jutarnji list on 10 December, and Globus on 12 December, the Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to point out that by publishing unverified information, attempts are made to misrepresent the situation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.10.12.2003. | Press releases