Press

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

Minister Picula participated at the meeting of MFA's of the Forum of EU and the PSP countries...On Tuesday, 9 December 2003, Mr. Tonino Picula, the Croatian Foreign Minister, participated at the first meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Forum of EU and the PSP countries, established at the Thessalonike Summit in June this year.09.12.2003. | Press releases

Celebration of unveiling a memorial tablet to Croatian professors and students was held in Trnava...On 6 December 2003, a celebration of unveiling a memorial tablet to Croatian professors and students, who lectured and studied at the University in Trnava in the 17th and 18th centuries, was held in the town of Trnava, 50 km from Bratislava.09.12.2003. | Press releases

Croatian Embassy to Romania organised a reception for students of the Bucharest University...Croatian Embassy to Romania organised on 5 December a reception for students of Croatian language at the Bucharest University. Croatian Ambassador to Romania, Željko Kuprešak, took the opportunity to stress the importance of Croatian language studies at the Bucharest University, pointing out the fact that the EU enlargement requires the learning of the so called “small languages” of the new approaching members.08.12.2003. | Press releases

Regarding the article published on 6 December in Večernji List...Regarding the article published on 6 December in Večernji List, entitled “Račan stopped appointing of ambassadors during government change”, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to state that the ministry officials mentioned in the article will be appointed to their diplomatic or consular posts abroad as a part of the rotation process and filling up vacancies, so there could be no mention of “preventing a scandal”. 06.12.2003. | Press releases