Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Gordan Jandroković met in Dubrovnik with German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle

The collocutors expressed satisfaction with the meeting that had provided yet another opportunity for the exchange of opinions important for both of the countries

The collocutors expressed satisfaction with the meeting that had provided yet another opportunity for the exchange of opinions important for both of the countries. They praised the excellent bilateral relations between Croatia and Germany, expressing belief that cooperation in all the fields of mutual interest would continue to be upgraded.

Minister Jandroković said that Croatia appreciated Germany’s continuous and strong support throughout its accession negotiations, and thanked Minister Westerwelle for his personal engagement. He also expressed satisfaction with the pending visit by German Chancellor Angela Merkel to Croatia, as part of which she is to meet with Croatian Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor.

Minister Westerwelle pointed out that Germany would continue to support Croatia along its path of Euro-integration, saying that Croatia’s membership would further enrich the EU and be to mutual advantage. Furthermore, the collocutors agreed that Croatia’s full-fledged EU membership would send a positive message to all of the countries of South Eastern Europe, as well as exemplify that efforts and reforms do pay off in the end.

Minister Jandroković informed his German colleague about the implementation of the government’s campaign for informing the citizens about the EU, and about the most recent polls showing that of the citizens that would vote in the referendum, 60% would vote for Croatia’s joining the EU and 33% against, while the rest are undecided.

The ministers described the two countries’ economic cooperation as exceptionally well-developed and considered the possibility of its further enhancement, especially in small- and middle-sized entrepreneurship. German investors are third among the foreign investors in Croatia, while in trade in goods with Croatia Germany comes second. Special satisfaction was expressed with the tourist cooperation – with about 1.5 million visits in 2010, German tourists were at the very top, and the growth in visits continued this year as well.

The collocutors also discussed the topical political affairs in South Eastern Europe.

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