Minister Grabar-Kitarović visited Monaco

Minister Grabar-Kitarović took part 24 June 2006 at the Monaco Crans Montana Forum, moderating in the morning the panel The Growing Role of Women in World Affairs Management. Speaking about the role of women in political participation, she stated that women’s rights are primarily a human rights issue. She pointed out that although progress has been made as far as their part in the decision-making process, women are still underrepresented in political institutions and the public life in general. The existing normative framework, both on a national and global level, should serve the further development of the policies and programs that would facilitate the creation of a critical mass of women at key economic, social, and political positions, from which they could contribute to the political life and the creation of a full gender equality.

In the afternoon part of the Crans Montana Forum, Minister Grabar-Kitarović will be speaking at the panel The Enlargement of the European Union is Going South-East about the European Union’s spreading to the South Eastern Europe. In her speech, Minister Grabar-Kitarović said that it is important to continue to give the SEE countries a clear EU membership perspective based on their individual achievements in meeting the membership criteria. She added that the enlargement policy is one of the most successful EU policies, proven by the evaluations of the 2004 cycle, stating its both political and economic success.

Minister Grabar-Kitarović said that the reforms that are a part of the accession process are conducted primarily for the well-being of the citizens of the countries in the process, and is therefore extremely important to include the citizens in the process and objectively inform them about both the advantages and disadvantages of EU accession.

In her speech, Minister Grabar-Kitarović stated that Croatia is will to offer its accession experience to the countries involved in the Stabilisation and Association Process, pointing out that Croatia does not expect any benefits in the negotiations process, only that its achievements be valued objectively and the negotiation dynamics be based on its individual achievements.

Minister Grabar-Kitarović also reviewed Croatia’s SEECP presidency and its initiative to expand CEFTA as a model of regional economic co-operation and a preparation for participating on the EU internal market, which received widespread support, including support by the European Commission and the Stability Pact.

During her visit to Monaco, Minister Grabar-Kitarović opened the Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Croatia to the Principality of Monaco, headed by Honorary Consul Jean Kerwat. Present at the ceremonial opening was Monaco’s Foreign Minister Rainier Imperti.

Minister Grabar-Kitarović also met with Sovereign Prince Albert II, to whom she repeated the invitation to officially visit Croatia. The two discussed the expansion of the bilateral relations, especially in the field of direct investment, tourism, and environmental protection. The Principality of Monaco is offering Croatia assistance in protected areas’ mine clearance and ecology. Of particular importance in the co-operation with the Oceanographic Institute, which promotes and manages the environmental protection, namely of the sea and coastal areas. Minister Grabar-Kitarović thanked Prince Albert II as a member of the International Olympic Committee for the support to Croatia’s projects, inviting him to back the holding of the 2013 Mediterranean Games in Rijeka.