Minister Grabar-Kitarović met with Bulgarian Prime Minister Sergey Stanishev, Vice-Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ivaylo Kalfin, and European Integration Minister Meglena Kuneva

Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, during her official visit to the Republic of Bulgaria, met 14 December 2005 with Bulgarian Prime Minister Sergey Stanishev, Vice-Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ivaylo Kalfin, and European Integration Minister Meglena Kuneva

It was pointed out that the two countries have very good bilateral relations, which are on the rise, but that there is room for further improvement in the field of economic co-operation.

Minister Grabar-Kitarović and Prime Minister Stanishev discussed the co-operation in South East Europe, stressing the need for further co-operation in strengthening the stability in the region. Minister Grabar-Kitarović thanked Prime Minister Stanishev for Bulgaria’s systematic support to Croatia’s approaching the EU and NATO.

Minister Grabar-Kitarović and Minister Kalfin agreed that the two sides should draw up a plan of activities that will be based on the expert and technical assistance within the Memorandum on Co-operation in Euro-Atlantic Integration, signed by the two countries’ foreign ministers on 20 September 2005 in New York. The two ministers also pointed out the importance of the co-operation within regional organisations, such as the South East Europe Co-operation Process (SEECP), that was launched at Bulgaria’s initiative and will be presided over next year by Croatia.

Speaking about the relations between their countries, Minister Grabar-Kitarović and Minister Kalfin confirmed the existence of good bilateral relations, proven also by the fact that Croatia and Bulgaria have so far signed 42 bilateral agreements and international acts. Underway are agreements on assistance in customs issues, inland waterways navigation, co-operation in telecommunications, etc.

Ministers Grabar-Kitarović and Kuneva talked about the co-operation so far in the process of acceding to the EU. Minister Kuneva shared Bulgaria’s experiences in conducting the negotiations with the EU and highlighted some of the difficulties that it met with. Minister Kuneva offered Croatia Bulgaria’s experience and advice in that process, adding she wished Croatia would not have to go through the same difficulties.

Minister Grabar-Kitarović informed Minister Kuneva about the first phase of the negotiations (the screening process), pointing out that in some areas such as agriculture and real estate ownership rights Croatia is expecting some difficulties, but that we also expect quality negotiations based on our friendly countries’ experiences.