Croatian Foreign Minister Miomir Žužul received today, 22 July 2004, in Zagreb, French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier, who is on a one-day official visit to Croatia
Minister Žužul thanked Minister Barnier and France for the support and assistance to Croatia’s efforts in achieving the candidate status, that proved vital for the European Council’s positive decision. Minister Žužul pointed out that there are no open issues between Croatia and France, and that a new chapter in mutual relations has been opened, adding that Croatia wished to continue with the bilateral as well as regional co-operation with France.
The new chapter in Croatian-French relations is also marked by the opening of a French embassy in Zagreb, and the fact that next to the Croatian flag at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs now stands the flag of the European Union.
Minister Barnier expressed his pleasure with his visit to Zagreb and congratulated Croatia on the success in approaching the EU, citing three reasons for his visit to Zagreb. First, the new dynamic in the mutual relations, as confirmed by the recent visit of French employers and 300,000 tourists. Cultural and economic relations are on the rise. The second reason is the European Croatia, which is the same as the European France, said Minister Barnier, adding that he became convinced of that as a long-time European commissioner. The French minister mentioned the support Croatia has so far been receiving from France and president Chirac on its way towards the EU, adding that now, when it has the possibility of using the pre-accession funds for the development of education, communications and transport, can continue to count on France’s support. The third reason is to commend Croatia as an example for the whole region, ridden with conflicts in the past, but now time has come for peace and prosperity. This is the realisation of France’s ex-foreign minister Schuman’s promise, who is one of the founders of the EU. Croatia is indeed an outstanding example for other countries in the region, repeated once again French Foreign Minister Barnier at the end of his meeting with Minister Žužul.
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