Following ceremonious closing of OSCE office in Zagreb, Minister Vesna Pusić met with OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier

The two officials agreed that the completions of the OSCE’s field presence in Croatia represented a significant success for both Croatia and the OSCE and that it could serve as an example to other countries in the region

The two officials agreed that the completions of the OSCE’s field presence in Croatia represented a significant success for both Croatia and the OSCE and that it could serve as an example to other countries in the region in regard to a potential model of closing field missions once the conditions from their individual mandate had been met. Furthermore, the closing of the OSCE office in Zagreb is an example of a successful partnership and synergy between the OSCE and the host country in the implementation of the necessary reforms, as well as sustainable stability and security.

The OSCE’s long-standing presence in Croatia has significantly contributed to its democratic development, especially in the protection of human rights, refugee return, war crime prosecution, media freedom and civil society development. The closure of the OSCE office is also proof of the trust in an independent and efficient judiciary, the self-sustainability of the civil society, as well as the constructive cooperation between the government and the nongovernmental sector, Pusić and Zannier said.

The two officials agreed that Croatia, as a country that had used the OSCE’s presence to the advantage of its citizens and institutions, had matured democratically, as evidenced by its full commitment to continuing the promotion of security, stability and development in Southeast Europe, as well as the assistance and support for the region’s countries in their institutional approaching the EU and NATO.

Pusić and Zannier also exchanged opinions on a number of topical issues regarding OSCE activities. They pointed out close cooperation in seeking suitable solutions and responses to the challenges of international security, as well as in attaining a satisfactory level of understanding and cooperation in the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. In that regard, they confirmed the continuation of Croatia’s active and constructive contribution to OSCE activities in all three dimensions – political-military, economic-environmental and human – especially in lights of Croatia’s pending EU membership.

In that sense, Croatia is willing to contribute together with its European partners to the goals of the Irish OSCE presidency, namely the strengthening of cooperation within the human dimension, as the key part of an all-encompassing concept of international security. Additionally, given its experience in post-conflict recovery and the strengthening of democratic society, Croatia is willing to further contribute to the OSCE’s efficiency through a stronger engagement in its institutions.

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