Minister Dr Žužul took part at the ministerial meeting of the US-Adriatic Charter members in New York

US Secretary of State Colin Powell emphasised the importance of the Charter in the process of the European integration and approaching NATO. On behalf of Croatia, which is the co-ordinator of the process, Minister Žužul expressed his pleasure with the reforms in the member countries and informed Secretary of State Colin Powell about the future activities of the Charter members. Ministers Žužul, Mitreva and Islami mentioned the excellent communication within the Charter and pointed out a marked progress, co-operation and communication between countries whose goal is to become members of NATO. Minister Žužul announced the meeting of the Charter members that will take place in November this year in Croatia. The meeting will take place on 3 levels. The working part will include foreign ministers of the members countries and a US representative who will analyse together the achievements so far and agree on the next steps that should be taken in approaching the NATO. After that follows the meeting between Croatian, Macedonian and Albanian foreign ministers and the US representative with the ministers of Serbia and Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The meeting will end with a conference that will see all of the ministers, as well as the US representative, and high officials of the 7 neighbouring NATO countries as special guests.

The US confirmed at the meeting in New York that it will be represented at a high level at the meeting in November, regardless of the outcome of the presidential elections, which is a proof of the importance it places on the process of the US-Adriatic Charter.

Minister Žužul also announced other activities, such as the pending consultations between the Charter members’ ministers and ministers of the prominent members of the Alliance – French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier and German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer. If the Charter members continue to fulfil their obligations and conduct reforms at this speed, it is realistic to expect to join NATO, individually or collectively, by 2007, it was said in New York. All of the participants of today’s meeting expressed their support to Serbia and Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina in fulfilling the obligations for joining the Partnership for Peace as soon as possible, which is a prerequisite for NATO membership.