Minister Grabar-Kitarović opened 9th One-Year Expert Diplomatic Study

Along with the opening remarks on Croatia’s interests – peace, security, democracy, economic and overall stability and progress, and the international position – Minister Grabar-Kitarović stressed that it is precisely from these national interests that Croatia’s basic foreign policy guidelines stem from: creating the conditions for the realisation of the basic strategic priorities of joining the Euro-Atlantic political, security, and economic integrations; solidifying Croatia’s international position; meeting the assumed international obligations; establishing neighbourly relations and co-operation with the neighbouring countries based on the principles of equality and reciprocity; strengthening of the economic position and creating a positive image of Croatia in the world.

Speaking about the regional co-operation as one of the key components of Croatia’s relations with the EU and NATO, Minister Grabar-Kitarović pointed out some of the regional initiatives in which Croatia plays a prominent role: the South East European Co-operation Process (SEECP) – which Croatia will be presiding over from May this year; the Stability Pact for South East Europe; the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative; the Central European Initiative; CEFTA, etc.

Minister Grabar-Kitarović also spoke about the negotiations structure for Croatia’s joining the EU, pointing out that the screening – analytical overview of the Croatian legislature’s harmonisation with the acquis communautaire – is progressing at a satisfactory pace.

Mentioning the numerous other Croatia’s foreign policy goals, Minister Grabar-Kitarović wound up the lecture with the advice to the attendees of the One-Year Expert Diplomatic Study to continue, armed with knowledge and an in-depth understanding of the political process, working on their contribution to the realisation of Croatia’s foreign policy goals.

Attendees of the One-Year Expert Diplomatic Study will have lectures on the Croatian history, political system, international relations and policy, European integration and NATO, diplomacy and diplomatic skills, diplomatic protocol, international and diplomatic-consular law, and other subjects concerning the functioning of diplomacy.