Minister Gordan Jandroković on official visit to Czech Republic

The meeting with Minister Schwarzenberg reviewed the two countries’ bilateral relations, which were described as very good, with a regular exchange of high- and professional-level visits. Minister Jandroković said Croatia greatly appreciates the Czech Republic’s support along its road to the Euro-Atlantic structures. He also expressed satisfaction with Minister Schwarzenberg’s announcement that Croatia’s negotiations will be one of the Czech presidency’s priorities and welcomed the so-called good communication link initiative with Croatia.

Minister Jandroković informed his collocutors about the actualities in the EU accession process, pointing out that completing the negotiations in 2009 is a priority. He described as especially encouraging the recent European Commission’s Progress Report, which recognized the progress Croatia has made on its way to the EU, and represents and encouragement for Croatia to continue carrying out the necessary reforms.

Speaking about Croatia’s road towards NATO, Minister Jandroković said he hopes the Czech Parliament would ratify the Accession Protocol shortly. He thanked the Czech side for its support and the transfer of their own experience with the process.

The two ministers also exchanged opinions about the state of affairs in the region, with a special emphasis on the recent developments in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo. Minister Jandroković said that the enlargement policy has proven the best mechanism of democratization of setting up a lasting stability in this part of Europe. He pointed out that Croatia supports all of the countries in the region on their road to the Euro-Atlantic structures and is willing to share its experience with those processes.