Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Gordan Jandroković met with Greek Foreign Minister Stavros Lambrinidis

Minister Jandroković congratulated his colleague Lambrinidis on being appointed the minister of foreign affairs

Minister Jandroković congratulated his colleague Lambrinidis on being appointed the minister of foreign affairs, after his successful filling the post of the European Parliament’s deputy speaker. He said that Minister Lambrinidis’ visit to Croatia as the first in the series of official visits to the countries of South Eastern Europe was a special sign of friendship and trust.

The collocutors agreed that the two countries’ excellent and partnership relations, unburdened by outstanding issues, were further strengthened by cooperation within multilateral organizations, especially the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative, as well as the joint engagement in stabilizing the southeast European space. It was pointed out that both countries considered the European perspective of the region’s countries a guarantee of its stability and economic progress.

Minister Jandroković thanked the Hellenic Republic and Minister Lambrinidis personally for continuously supporting Croatia along its path towards full-fledged EU membership. Minister Lambrinidis said Croatia could be proud of closing the accession negotiation and that its efforts would soon be rewarded by becoming the 28th member of the European Union. This sends a clear message to the countries of South Eastern Europe and underscores the Euro-Atlantic perspective as the key factor of regional stability and prosperity.

Discussing the economic relations, the ministers agreed that their countries’ cooperation could be further enhanced in the areas of energy, transport and especially tourism. Last year, 30,000 Greek tourists visited Croatia, and the ministers agreed that tourist potential needed to be further exploited. In 2010, trade totalled some €141 million, but encouragement comes from the growing interest among the Croatian companies in placing their products on the Greek market and finding potential Greek investors for their projects, as well as the interest among the Greek businessmen in getting their products on the Croatian market.

For the purposes of further improving the economic relations, the ministers agreed on holding the meeting of the Joint Economic Cooperation Committee in the near future

The collocutors also examined the current political and security situation in Europe’s southeast, Near East and North Africa. In regard to the existing situation in Libya, the ministers said that both countries would participate as NATO members in the post-conflict reconstruction of Libya, especially Croatia with its experience in the post-conflict institutional reconstruction. In light of the recent political and humanitarian priorities in the field, Minister Jandroković also said Croatia considered offering humanitarian aid, with an emphasis on the medical needs and humanitarian demining.

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