Dr. Miomir Žužul met with Jaap de Hoop Scheffer

Minister Dr. Žužul emphasised Croatia’s active co-operation with Macedonia and Albania, but pointed to her expectation for an individual assessment of each state according to their achievements. Minister emphasised that Croatia met all political criteria, including full co-operation with the Hague Tribunal, implemented the defence system reform and participated in the NATO operation in Afghanistan.

Secretary General Scheffer commended co-operation and solidarity among Croatia, Macedonia and Albania thus fulfilling and respecting basic principles of the Alliance. He pointed to the synergy of the EU and NATO integration process, and emphasised that in Istanbul, on 28-29 June, NATO would send an encouraging message the aspirant states and would reiterate that the Alliance’s door remained open to new members.

Representatives of permanent NATO member states welcomed the co-operation among the three aspirant states included in the MAP and the progress achieved in the implementation of political and defence reforms. They commended active participation of Croatia, Macedonia and Albania in the NATO missions in Kosovo and Afghanistan. Representatives of permanent NATO member states emphasised that every aspirant state would be assessed according to its own achievements and that the MAP would continue to be the chief mechanism for the integration of new member states.