Foreign Minister Miomir Žužul met today in Dublin with Irish Foreign Minister Brian Cowen, who said that Ireland, currently presiding over the EU, fully supports Croatia in its efforts to join the EU in the expected period, according to which the European Commission should reach its opinion in March, and forward it to the European Council in June
Minister Žužul informed the Irish Prime Minister about the Croatian government’s efforts in meeting the criteria for full EU membership – justice system reform, refugee return, quality relations with the Hague Prosecutor Carla Del Ponte’s office, and the Croatian government’s willingness to submit to the Hague Tribunal the documents that it possesses. Minister Žužul also informed Minister Cowen about the government’s good relations with the minorities, especially the Serbian minority, which supports the Ivo Sanader’s government, and about the capability and readiness of Croatian justice to assume, in the future, the responsibilities now under the jurisdiction of the Hague Tribunal regarding Croatia.
Minister Žužul called Croatia the region’s “stability bridge”, about which he will hold a speech at the Royal Institute of International Affairs after his visit to Dublin. If Croatia becomes a NATO member, said Žužul, it will be able to contribute in establishing a more stable security situation in Southeast Europe.
Foreign Minister Brian Cowen said that Croatia had progressed visibly and now has all the characteristics of a mature democracy. Ireland, as a friendly state, is familiar with Croatia’s efforts to meet the Copenhagen criteria for joining the EU, and offers its help as a presiding member. Minister Cowen stated that the Irish presidency will try to make sure that everything happens according to calendar, which means that the European Commission will pass its opinion in March and the European Council reach its decision in June this year. Minister Žužul said that he hopes for such a dynamic. Minister Cowen added that Ireland wants Croatia in the EU, and will support Croatia’s interests, pointing out, however, that Croatia also needs to do its part of the job. Minister Žužul invited Minister Cowen to visit Croatia, if possible, during the first half of this year.
After meeting with the Irish Foreign Minister, Minister Žužul and the Croatian delegation met with Ceann Comhairle at the Irish Parliament Rory O’Hanlon, and later with Chairman of the Foreign Policy Committee of the Irish Parliament Michael Woods, who also expressed his support to Croatia’s efforts along the road to EU.
Apart from Foreign Minister Žužul, Croatian delegation consists of two State Secretaries – Miroslav Kovačić, State Secretary for E-Croatia at the Government of the Republic of Croatia, and Ante Babić, State Secretary for Development Strategy at the Government of the Republic of Croatia – and Neven Madey, Assistant Minister at the Croatian Ministry for Foreign Affairs. Minister Žužul and the Croatian delegation are to pay an official visit to London today.
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