Minister Gordan Jandoroković participated in Serb National Council Assembly

Greeting the audience on behalf of Croatia’s Prime Minister Ivo Sanader, Minister Jandroković pointed out that the interests of national minorities are high on the priorities list of this Government. Minister also said that the appointment of Slobodan Uzelac as Deputy Prime Minister, which is the first time that a Serb national minority representative has been appointed to such a high position in the Croatian Government, serves as a confirmation of this. “It serves to prove we greatly appreciate the authentic policy the representatives of the Serb minority and the Serb National Council, as the roof organization of Serbs in Croatia, lead with responsibility and independence in our country”, said Minister Jandroković.

By pointing out that Croatia is oriented towards progress, co-operation and the future, Minister Jandroković stressed its significant role in the international community – beside being a member of the United Nations Security Council, Croatia has also been invited to join NATO and is currently in the crucial stage of EU accession negotiations. In this sense he expressed appreciation to the entire audience, including the members of the Serb National Council, who had given and continue to give their contribution to the achievement of historic goals of the Republic of Croatia, namely EU and NATO membership.

Minister Jandroković said that special attention has been given to the protection of human rights in the preparations for EU and NATO membership, which is confirmed by the Constitutional Act on the Rights of National Minorities. He also said that members of all national minorities participate actively in the implementation of this Act, contributing to a joint European future.

“Croatia has set the highest standards in the protection of national minorities in the region. We would like to see the same thing in all the other countries of the Southeast Europe, particularly in those where the Croatian national minority lives. The Republic of Croatia and the Croatian Government, of which I am a member, co-operates and will continue to do so with all the countries in our neighbourhood, sharing our experience on the path of integration into the community of western democracies. We believe that national minorities play a crucial role of the binding tissue and a bridge in the process of further construction of our relations. The welfare of all of our citizens, their safe and prosperous European future will be a baseline of our future work”, concluded Minister Jandroković.