Croatian Foreign Minister Miomir Žužul is heading the Croatian delegation at the annual meeting of CEI foreign ministers, held today, 25 May2004 in Portorož, Slovenia. At this regional forum that draws together 17 member countries, foreign ministers discussed the situation in the region, as well as the role of CEI after the EU enlargement
The ministers confirmed that CEI, with its 17 members, 7 of which are members of the EU and 5 of which are SAP countries, represents a regional co-operation mechanism with the goal with the goal of further European integration. It was pointed out that the Initiative is dedicated to firm and lasting support of the European and Euro-Atlantic ambitions of its members.
In view of the support of the EU and NATO members to the members of the Initiative, the ministers expressed conviction in the meeting’s final document that after receiving the positive Opinion from the European Commission about its application for EU membership, Croatia will get the candidate status at the upcoming meeting of the European Council. The final document also expresses conviction that Croatia will receive a date for the start of the negotiations.
In his speech, Minister Žužul informed the ministers about Croatia’s progress in approaching the EU and NATO, and stressed the importance of CEI as a regional forum within which members can exchange experiences, especially as regards the harmonisation with the EU standards. After the meeting in Portorož, all CEI members are expected to offer their support to Croatia in its approaching the EU.
On the margins of the meeting, Minister Žužul had a working breakfast with Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel and Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini. The friendly talks between the three ministers confirmed the good and firm mutual relations between the three countries, and considered all open issues. Slovenia and Italy are expected to support Croatia in its approaching the EU. As regards the implementation of the Protected ecological-fishery belt, Minister Žužul pointed out that that issue can only be resolved through Croatian Parliament’s decision and in accordance with the EU. The talks about the joint protection of the sea, especially the North Adriatic, as well as the fishery issue, the three state secretaries will continue in June 2004 in Bruxelles, within the European Commission.
Minister Žužul also talked with Slovakian Foreign Minister Eduard Kukan, B&H Foreign Minister Mladen Ivanić and Austrian Secretary General for Foreign Affairs Johannes Kyrle.
The Croatian delegation led by Minister Žužul continued later today with its participation at the meeting the of foreign ministers of Adriatic-Ionian Initiative. This meeting will discuss the importance of a permanent political dialogue between the member countries about political and economic reforms that are a part of these countries’ preparations for joining the EU and NATO. It is expected that in the final document the ministers will express their support of Croatia’s efforts in approaching the EU, especially receiving the candidate status next month and determining the start of the membership negotiations. At this meeting, Croatia expressed the importance of its progress in approaching the EU and NATO with the objective of a greater security and stability in the whole region.
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