MFA - Press Releases

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Croatia met the NATO Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs, Ambassador Dr. Günther Altenburg, on February 6, 2003. Dr. Altenburg headed a delegation of NATO visiting Zagreb from February 3 to 6, 2003. The delegation was composed of highly positioned officials of the North Atlantic Treaty who came to see how Croatia was preparing for the membership of NATO.

With her admission to the Membership Action Plan (MAP) that provided guidance to the membership candidates on the reform of their defence and security systems and their development of efficient government administration Croatia began to actively prepare for full NATO membership.

Following the successful presentation of the first Croatian Annual Programme in Brussels on January 24, 2003, NATO experts reviewed the implementation of the Membership Action Plan and, together with Croatian experts, agreed on the final draft of a report on the implementation of the Membership Action Plan.

In his talks with Minister Picula Dr. Altenburg said that Croatia was on the right track with her reform aimed at meeting the standards required for joining NATO. He added that NATO particularly appreciated the efforts of Croatia related to the stabilisation of the situation in the region. Minister Picula said that Croatian foreign policy was focused on joining Euro-Atlantic integration and that the Government was resolved to see the reform through. He reiterated that Croatia was ready to take an active part in the antiterrorist coalition.

Press releases