Deputy Foreign Minister Ivan Šimonović had a meeting with the Italian delegation headed by the State Under-secretary of the Italian MFA Roberto Antonione...

On 24 July 2003, Deputy Foreign Minister Ivan Šimonović had a meeting at the MFA of Croatia with the Italian delegation headed by the State Under-secretary of the Italian MFA, Roberto Antonione, and the State Under-secretary of the Italian Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Paolo Scarpa Bonazza Buora.

They considered a number of issues related to the future management of the fish resources of the Adriatic on a sustainable and reasonable basis, and to the need to protect the Adriatic Sea against ecological threats. They achieved a high degree of agreement about the need to act urgently in accordance with the policy of the European Union concerning appropriate forms of protection. Coordination of the national activities of Croatia and Italy for the protection of the Adriatic has been agreed on, as well as intensification of bilateral professional cooperation, and inclusion of other interested Adriatic states in further talks.

During the meeting both sides also discussed the possibilities for Croatia's further approaching the European Union, and its expectations from the Italian presidency. Italian delegation emphasised that Croatia and the states in the region are among the main priorities of the Italian presidency of the European Union. In this sense they expressed readiness to promote, during the Italian presidency of the EU, quick admission of Croatia to the European Union and its different activities. They also agreed on accelerated conclusion and ratification of the most important bilateral agreements.

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