Minister Jandroković on official visit to Turkey 22-24 May 2008

The visit was exceptionally substantial and successful. After being present at the opening of the exhibition by Croatian academic painter Toni Franović at the gallery of the Istanbul subway, Minister Jandroković handed in Ankara on behalf of the Croatian President the medal of Prince Trpimir to the former Turkish Foreign Minister and NATO’s Civilian Representative in Afghanistan, Hikmet Çetin. The ceremony also saw the presence of former Turkish President Suleyman Demirel, as well as numerous Turkish public and political officials. Official meetings were held 23 May 2008, when Minister Jandroković met with Turkish high officials – President Abdullah Gül, Foreign Minister Ali Babacan, and Chairman of the Turkish Parliament’s EU Integration Committee Yaşar Yakış.

Minister Jandroković and Minister Babacan exchanged opinions about the bilateral relations, as well as about the possibilities of their further deepening, especially in economy, and the two countries’ co-operation in the EU accession. Minister Jandroković pointed out that the economic co-operation is developing successfully, as contributed by the Free Trade Agreement. In 2007, the trade between Croatia and Turkey totalled USD 517 million, and showing a tendency of rapid growth.

Minister Jandroković said that Croatia greatly appreciates Turkey’s active and continuous assistance in its NATO accession, for which he thanked Minister Babacan. There is a mutual willingness to co-operate in the process of the two countries’ EU accession. He emphasized that Croatia is aware of the efforts Turkey is putting forth to that end, and is eagerly following the discussions regarding Turkey’s negotiations, as well as the discussions on further enlargement, as their outcome influences the entire Europe’s South East. Talking about the constitutional reforms in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the two ministers agreed that they would support those solutions that guarantee constitutionality and equality for all of the country’s three nations.

During the meeting with the other officials, Minister Jandroković reviewed the possibility of further developing the bilateral relations, future partnership within NATO, the process of the two countries’ EU accession, co-operation within multilateral organisations, and the current state of affairs in South Eastern Europe.