Minister Grabar-Kitarović at meeting of SEECP foreign ministers

“Among the numerous positive aspects of SEECP, it is perhaps best to point out that is has proven that the SEE countries have reached the level of maturity and self-confidence necessary for acceding to the EU. Croatia, therefore, does not consider SEECP a replacement, but a means of full realisation of the Thessaloniki Agenda and the South East Europe’s accession to the EU,” said Minister Grabar-Kitarović in her speech.

Minister Grabar-Kitarović also pointed out that the joint goals of the SEECP countries were set at the beginning, and they are the strengthening of co-operation and neighbourly relations, the strengthening of democracy, stability and security in the region, and the strengthening of economic co-operation, coupled by the ambition of a full EU membership. In that regard, Minister Grabar-Kitarović stressed that SEECP countries need to continue to assist each other in the process of individual meeting of the EU membership criteria.

At the Thessaloniki Summit, the Republic of Croatia will assume the SEECP presidency from the Hellenic Republic for the May 2006-May 2007 period.

Some of the priorities that Croatia will focus on during its presidency are the continuation of the strengthening of the co-operation and neighbourly relations between the SEECP members, supporting the overall realisation of peace and prosperity in the region, promoting a strong European orientation and perspective of the SEE in accordance with the Thessaloniki Declaration, promoting regional economic co-operation, investment into the region, and promoting the co-operation in energy supplies, infrastructure, transport, telecommunications, internal affairs, justice, education, environmental protection, culture, and tourism.