Minister Grabar-Kitarović met with Finnish Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja

Minister Grabar-Kitarović also stressed the good relations and close co-operation between Croatia and Finland, as well as the importance of Croatia’s joining the EU, in which Finland’s experiences could be of great help. The two ministers agreed that, during Finland’s presidency, the EU should continue with its enlargement and negotiations dynamics, based on individual approach.

Minister Tuomioja commended Croatia’s progress so far in approaching the EU, pointing out that Finland will gladly share its experience in joining the Euro-Atlantic integration. Minister Tuomioja also emphasized the excellent bilateral relations between the two countries. In that regard, Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen is also to visit Croatia soon.

The meeting also discussed the bilateral co-operation, regional co-operation within the regional forums, co-operation within the Euro-Atlantic integration, and the co-operation within the context of Finland’s EU presidency, starting 1 July 2006.