Minister Grabar-Kitarović received to inaugural visit Swedish Ambassador Lars Fredén

Minister Grabar-Kitarović welcomed Ambassador Fredén and both agreed that the bilateral relations between the two countries are very good and with no open issues, expressing hope for a further intensification of the bilateral relations.

Ambassador Fredén reiterated Sweden’s support for Croatia’s NATO and EU accession process, and pointed out in that regard that Sweden will be presiding over the EU in the 2nd half of 2009.

Minister Grabar-Kitarović stated that Croatia is determined to carry out all of the reforms necessary for the fulfilment of the assumed obligations and membership criteria, in order to become the 28th EU member by the end of the decade, stressing that the Croatian side expects the EU to continue with the parallel process of reorganising its institutional framework, so that it could be completed by 2008.

Minister Grabar-Kitarović thanked the Kingdom of Sweden for the concrete assistance it is offering Croatia in the form of development assistance and co-operation, and for the support on its way to the EU.