Croatian Foreign Minister Miomir Žužul and Minister for European Integrations Kolinda Grabar Kitarović met today, 27 May 2004, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Zagreb, with ambassadors of the EU members accredited to Croatia
Minister presented the general conclusion from yesterday’s meeting of the Interim Committee for the Implementation of the Interim Agreement with the EU Concerning Trade and Related Issues. He announced that the Croatian government will modify the 2004 National Program to join the EU, in accordance with the short and long term European partnership priorities, the adoption of which is expected in the next few weeks.
Minister Žužul reminded the ambassadors about Croatian government’s achievements in satisfying the political criteria, especially as regards the co-operation with the Hague Tribunal, refugee return, justice reform, protection of minorities and regional co-operation.
The Foreign Minister informed the ambassadors about the Croatian government’s expectations that the member countries will reach at the European Council meeting in Bruxelles 17-18 June 2004 the decision regarding Croatia’s candidate status and the start of the negotiations. Minister Žužul asked the ambassadors for their support in adopting, for Croatia, favourable European Council’s conclusions. He repeated that Croatia’s further institutional approaching the EU will send a strong message to other Southeast European countries to follow its example. Minister Žužul confirmed that Croatia will continue to be engaged in strengthening regional co-operation and stability, as well as in solving all open issues with the neighbouring countries, in the spirit of European co-operation.
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