Minister Gordan Jandroković opened Regional Conference on European Integration

In his speech, Minister Jandroković said that the cooperation between the countries of South Eastern Europe in on a constant rise, especially in the field of the Euro-Atlantic integration. “By joining the European integration process, we are willingly assuming the obligation of adopting the European standards”, said Minister Jandroković. He also pointed out he considers European integration the best framework and incentive for the countries of South Eastern Europe to go down the road of reform that will best prepare them for facing the challenges of future membership, as well as the challenges of modern times.

Speaking about the recent European Commission’s Progress Report, Minister Jandroković said that Croatia is pleased with its messages, as well as with the fact that the EC has also presented an indicative timeframe for the completion of the EU-Croatia negotiations by end-2009. He pointed out that Croatia’s success is a clear sign to other SEE countries that the EU membership perspective is a reality.

In that regard, Minister Jandroković expressed hope that the countries of Europe’s south east will follow Croatia’s example and successfully overcome the challenges of the road to integration. He pointed out Croatia’s willingness to assist them in meeting the European standards and strengthening the existing cooperation, as well as to transfer its experience with the European integration process.

The basic goal of this Croatia-hosted conference is the exchange of experience and achievements in approaching the EU membership. Foreign-policy representatives from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia will discuss the following European integration topics: the implementation of the Stabilization and Association Agreement, the IPA program, justice, freedom, security, and communicating with the citizens about the EU-related topics.

The Regional Conference on European Integration is organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration and the German Technical Cooperation Society (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit). Organizing annual conferences that serve as a forum for the exchange of the European integration processes in a regional context has proven a great instrument from implementing and deepening the regional cooperation on a political, professional, and personal level.

The Conference will see 150 attendees. Apart from heads of the participating countries’ delegations – MFAEI State Secretary for European Integration Davor Božinović, Macedonian Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Ivica Bocevski, Montenegrin Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Gordana Đurović, Albanian Deputy European Integration Minister Albert Gajo, B-H European Integration Director Osman Topčagić, and Head of the European Integration Office of the Serbian Government Milica Delević, the Conference is also attended by Head of the European Commission’s Delegation to Croatia Vincent Degert, as well as numerous ambassadors and representatives of embassies of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, France, Italy, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, and Sweden.