Minister Gordan Jandroković met with Finnish Minister of Migration and European Affairs Astrid Thors

Ministers Jandroković and Thors expressed satisfaction with the bilateral relations, characterizing them as excellent and devoid of outstanding issues. They confirmed the readiness to further develop the economic, cultural, and scientific cooperation.

Speaking about Croatia’s path to the full-fledged EU membership, Minister Jandroković informed Minister Thors about the current state of the negotiations, pointing out that Croatia remains dedicated to completing their technical part by the end of the European Commission’s mandate. He emphasized that in spite of the current halt in the negotiations caused by Slovenia’s blockade, Croatia continues its activities with the same intensity, especially in justice reform and the fight against corruption. In that regard, Minister Jandroković thanked Minister Thors for the support for the further EU enlargement.

Minister Jandroković welcomed Finland’s plan of bilateral assistance to Croatia in organizing a system of development cooperation and policy. He also thanked for the assistance in adopting the state administration system within the Euro-integration process, aimed at harmonizing with the EU standards.

Minister Thors expressed satisfaction with Croatia’s progress on its European path, pointing out that Finland supports Croatia’s efforts to become a full EU member. He also expressed satisfaction with the fact that Croatia has grown from an object of international policy into its subject, actively contributing to the international scene, especially in regard to peacekeeping missions.

Discussing the economic relations, the ministers noted a mutual interest for their expansion. The past year saw a series of activities undertaken to enhance the economic cooperation, as evidenced by the figures of trade between Croatia and Finland reaching $112 million in the first 11 months of 2008, surpassing the total 2007 trade by 6 million.